handsome

Members help members on grammar, vocab, pronunciation...

Moderator: EC

Post Reply
User avatar
Vega
Top Contributor
Top Contributor
Posts: 1532
Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 2:59 pm
Status: Learner of English

handsome

Post by Vega »

Can this word be used in this way: handsome car, handsome flower, etc.

Thank you in advance!
hermit
Rising Star
Rising Star
Posts: 92
Joined: Tue May 19, 2009 11:00 pm
Status: Teacher of English

Re: handsome

Post by hermit »

"Handsome" applies to more than just good-looking men in English. A pretty,
statuesque woman might often be called handsome (see Jamie Lee Curtis et al);
a car, yes, but not so frequently. Flowers, yes, but usually thought of as pretty,
as they are very feminine...

Hermit
PureGuava
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu May 27, 2010 3:53 pm
Status: Teacher of English

Re: handsome

Post by PureGuava »

I would say "handsome" falls more under genetically appealing, typically.

However, with the phrase, "A handsome sum of money", handsome would mean large, generous or copious . (quasi-formal)

I'd say, "nice car" or "beautiful car" and "pretty flowers" or "beautiful flowers"

It also (almost always) depends on the formality and type of the people you are speaking to.

"Gorgeous flowers" would be something a female would say, but most probably not a male. It would sound effeminate if a male did.
Post Reply