Aug 17, 2012 05:11
12 yrs ago
English term
handsome girl
English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
"You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room," said Mr. Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet.
"She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me..."
http://www.austen.com/pride/vol1ch03.htm
I'm wondering: How common and/or acceptable is it to use the adjective 'handsome' to describe a girl ?
"She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me..."
http://www.austen.com/pride/vol1ch03.htm
I'm wondering: How common and/or acceptable is it to use the adjective 'handsome' to describe a girl ?
Responses
+7
19 mins
Liz Dexter (was Broomfield)
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
&
English
Specializes in field
United Kingdom
Proofreading, editing & localisation
Native in: English (Variants: British, UK, US, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand)
Works in: English
Related KudoZ points
:
36
Selected
handsome girl - used but rather archaic and not v complimentary
If you're handsome and you're a woman, it means you're not particularly delicate or pretty but you have commanding features and are attractive in a mannish kind of way. So, big heavy features and probably quite large (not fat, just tall and well-built). It was used in a more appreciative sense originally, more akin to the use with a man, so the Austen quote would be a positive one, but now it's slipped to be more admiring but not hugely complimentary. Some of those large Pre-Raphaelite women might be described as handsome.
Also they will be well put-together, elegantly dressed and poised.
So not an insult, not a huge compliment, and i certainly don't hear it used very much any more.
Also they will be well put-together, elegantly dressed and poised.
So not an insult, not a huge compliment, and i certainly don't hear it used very much any more.
Peer comment(s):
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Ritu Bhanot
41 mins
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Thank you!
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Kathinka van de Griendt
2 hrs
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Thank you!
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Alison Sparks (X)
2 hrs
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Thank you!
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Mehmet Hascan
: (of a woman) striking and imposing rather than conventionally pretty.
2 hrs
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Yes, imposing is a good word.
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P.L.F. Persio
4 hrs
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Thank you!
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Yvonne Gallagher
: I understand it's not a Barbie-doll type of prettiness but it's NOT uncomplimentary more like =attractive and it is still in use. Not sure about putting "elegant" and "handsome" together though many points of view. Mehmet's "striking" more correct now imo
8 hrs
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I don't think many women would be that complimented to be called handsome but I am not entirely sure (being small and unimposing, I have never been called it!)
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claude-andrew
: I think "poise", "worthy of admiration", "breeding" may be included in the connotations
14 hrs
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Thank you!
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axies
: tenis, cricket, soccer, basquetball etc girl players, sometimes fit the mold!
1 day 8 hrs
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Thank you!
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Sheila Wilson
: agree with gallagy2. I would be quite happy to be called 'handsome' though surprised. I think it's when people look at "the big picture" rather than just features
2 days 9 hrs
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Raffaella Berry
: not conventionally beautiful, but definitely good-looking
3 days 14 hrs
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you very much for sharing your insights. I also found the link [http://www.the-beheld.com/2011/11/thoughts-on-word-handsome.html] posted by gallagy2 very useful. "
9 mins
airmailrpl
Brazil
Brazil
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&
English
Works in field
Brazil
Technical - Fast - good price - accurate
Native in: English (Variant: US) 
, Portuguese (Variant: Brazilian)
Works in: English to Portuguese, Portuguese to English, English, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
64
handsome for females has a negative meaning
Handsome - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster ...
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handsome
handsome for females has a negative meaning...we have goodlooking for females...for ex: handsome girl means a girl with a huge body that is not good...a big ...
Usually, a woman who is described as "handsome" is one who is attractive but not a classic beauty (i.e. soft, delicate features, whatever conventions of beauty your society holds, etc.). Her facial features are somewhat ordinary, but her beauty lies in how well she puts herself together, her poise, style, and manner.
http://www.antimoon.com/forum/t9052.htm
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Ritu Bhanot
: It is right in today's context but the book was written in earlier 19th century and it was a complement in those days. Language evolves :-)
51 mins
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the query was about modern times: How common and/or acceptable is it to use the adjective 'handsome' to describe a girl
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Sheila Wilson
: I don't agree it's negative, just slightly unusual. BTW, your first ref was just one person's idea (not Webster's) and I don't think the second gives a negative definition at all // Not common nowadays, but acceptable with no negative meaning
2 days 9 hrs
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the query was about modern times: How common and/or acceptable is it to use the adjective 'handsome' to describe a girl
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Discussion
http://www.the-beheld.com/2011/11/thoughts-on-word-handsome....
many different views
These days it is far less common because gender stereotyping has set in for adjectives of this kind. A handsome woman would be seen as somehow mannish in the same way a pretty youth would be seen as effeminate. Both *could* be used but the connotations mean that they generally aren't.
"Having a fine form or figure (usually in conjunction with full size or stateliness); 'beautiful with dignity', 'fine'. (The prevailing current sense.)
Definition:
having an attractive, well-proportioned, and imposing appearance suggestive of health and strength; good-looking: a handsome man; a handsome woman.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/handsome