Beautiful X handsome

Hi,

I'm not sure if we can use the word "beautiful" for men. You can, but the usual word is 'handsome'.

Slightly more acceptable for a man is to use 'beautiful' to speak of his character/disposition/kindness.

Best wishes, Clive

"Beautiful" and "handsome" are almost like the male/female equivalents of the same word. English doesn't typically make a male/female difference with adjectives, but these two almost do. Although you could say "a beautiful man" or "a handsome woman," it might sound odd to some people. If you use "beautiful" for females and "handsome" for males, that would be good.

Siggy

I don't know whether there is any fixed rule or not . Beauiful and handsome both words are used widely like handsome quantity /amount or beautiful film /song / scenery.But handsome is never used for women and beautiful is never used for men

Jhumjhum, be careful when you say "never." It's rarely the case with English that "never" applies. It is FAR MORE COMMON to use handsome with men and beautiful with women, but not a rule or requirement.

Certainly you can say "a handsome woman" - usually it carries the sense that he is perhaps a little older, well groomed, perhaps a little taller. Not a young, perky thing in a tiny bikini

Thanks Grammer Greek ,I shall be careful about using "never " later on.and thanks for all informations.I really never([:P] )heard these before.

CliveHi,

I'm not sure if we can use the word "beautiful" for men. You can, but the usual word is 'handsome'.

Slightly more acceptable for a man is to use 'beautiful' to speak of his character/disposition/kindness.

Best wishes, Clive

Yes, it makes sense. Thank you!

Handsome is definitely used for women too, but probably less than say 100 years ago.

It requires some poise and dignity, not just ***-appeal, things that sometimes come with age:

---
5 : having an impressive and pleasing appearance: a : attractive,
well-proportioned, and good-looking usually in a way suggesting poise,
dignity,

I've just finished "The Age of Innocence" (published 1920) by Edith Warton, and the word handsome is used a lot about women in that novel. I guess things have changed since then in the US ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Age_of_Innocence

Yep, Grammar Geek;

"carries the sense that he is perhaps a little older" You're right, but I think you meant to type "she" and not "he".

The expression 'handsome woman' is perfectly acceptable, albeit a little old fashioned. It's usually used to describe an older woman. But you do not use the expression, 'beautiful man'.