From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishhandsomehand‧some /ˈhænsəm/ ●●● W3 adjective 1 a) BEAUTIFUL/GOOD-LOOKINGa man who is handsome looks attractive SYN good-looking an extremely handsome young man Sam was tall, dark, and handsome. his handsome face b) BEAUTIFUL/GOOD-LOOKINGa woman who is handsome looks attractive in a strong healthy wayRegisterIn everyday English, people usually say good-looking rather than handsome:Her new boyfriend is really good-looking.2 GOOD/EXCELLENTan animal, object, or building that is handsome looks attractive in an impressive way a row of handsome Georgian houses3 BIG[only before noun] a handsome amount of money is large He managed to make a handsome profit out of the deal. a handsome fee4 [only before noun] a handsome gift or prize is worth a lot of money There are some handsome prizes to be won.5 [only before noun] a handsome victory is important and impressive They won a handsome victory in the elections. —handsomely adverb He was handsomely rewarded by the king.
Examples from the Corpus
handsome• His features were regular, rather ordinary, though some might well have thought him handsome.• My brother was two years older than me, taller, and more handsome.• The foliage is handsome and the autumn colour is relatively long lasting, yellow and gold with the odd slash of red.• Roy is still as handsome as ever.• The restaurant, open only for dinner, is handsome, cast in a warm golden light.• a handsome colonial house• Christina backed away from Michael, whose handsome face was twisted and distorted by hatred.• Lena had fallen in love with a rich, handsome Frenchman.• a handsome gray-haired woman• Bobby, gay and slender and handsome, has always lived in the ghetto.• He looks really handsome in his uniform, doesn't he?• He was a tall, handsome man who had an air of confidence about him.• A handsome pin tucked away in the jewelry box on my dresser is testimony to this accomplishment.• The big oil companies made a handsome profit out of the fuel crisis.• She received a handsome reward for finding the wallet.• Ozzie left a very handsome tip on the plate.handsome profit• By levying tolls and taxes on the traders, the owner of the fair could make a handsome profit.• Investors savvy enough to pick REITs that subsequently are taken over by other REITs stand to make handsome profits.• The ship returned with a hold full of wines and a handsome profit.• Another deal made while he was still in office helped net a handsome profit for his wife, Honey.• Ford expects handsome profits from its phone business.• And no fewer opportunities for turning handsome profits in the process.• They made handsome profits, just like the investors to whom Alexander spoke.• Hospitals can reap handsome profits that way.Origin handsome (1500-1600) handsome “easy to handle” ((15-17 centuries)), from hand 