Handsome vs. Pretty

Handsome vs. Pretty — Is There a Difference?
ADVERTISEMENT

Difference Between Handsome and Pretty

Handsomeadjective

(of people, things, etc) Having a good appearance; good-looking.

a handsome garment, house, tree, or horse

Prettyadjective

Pleasant in sight or other senses; attractive, especially of women or children.

Handsomeadjective

(of a man or boy) Visually attractive; pleasant looking, good-looking. Examples contradict label. Also, it seems to me that Austen uses "handsome" about women synonymously with "beautiful", so maybe that is an obsolete sense?

a handsome man

Prettyadjective

Of objects or things: nice-looking, appealing.

Handsomeadjective

(of a woman) Striking, impressive and elegantly proportioned, though not typically beautiful.

Prettyadjective

Fine-looking; only superficially attractive; initially appealing but having little substance; see petty.

ADVERTISEMENT

Handsomeadjective

Good, appealing, appropriate.

Prettyadjective

Cunning; clever, skilful.

Handsomeadjective

(of weather) Fine, clear and bright.

Prettyadjective

(dated) Moderately large; considerable.

Handsomeadjective

Suitable or fit in action; marked with propriety and ease; appropriate.

a handsome style, etc.

Prettyadjective

(dated) Excellent, commendable, pleasing; fitting or proper (of actions, thoughts etc.).

ADVERTISEMENT

Handsomeadjective

Generous or noble in character.

Handsome is as handsome does.

Prettyadjective

(ironic) Awkward, unpleasant.

Handsomeadjective

Ample; moderately large.

a handsome salary

Prettyadverb

Somewhat, fairly, quite; sometimes also (by meiosis) very.

Handsomeadjective

Dexterous; skillful.

Prettyadverb

(dialect) Prettily, in a pretty manner.

Handsomeverb

To render handsome.

Prettynoun

A pretty person; a term of address to a pretty person.

Handsomeadjective

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion;

a fine-looking womana good-looking manbetter-looking than her sistervery pretty but not so extraordinarily handsomeour southern women are well-favored

Prettynoun

Something that is pretty.

"We'll stop at the knife store a look at the sharp pretties.''

Handsomeadjective

given or giving freely;

was a big tipperthe bounteous goodness of Godbountiful complimentsa freehanded hosta handsome allowanceSaturday's child is loving and givinga liberal backer of the artsa munificent gifther fond and openhanded grandfather

Prettyverb

To make pretty; to beautify

Prettyadjective

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing;

pretty girlpretty songpretty room

Prettyadjective

(used ironically) unexpectedly bad;

a pretty messa pretty kettle of fish

Prettyadverb

used as an intensifier (`jolly' is used informally in Britain);

pretty bigpretty badjolly decent of him