2006-09-30 20:09:03 · 11 answers · asked by UZMA S 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Yes, however, it's usually used in the context of a female who, while she has a fairly simetrical face and is well proportioned overall, she is neither dainty nor pretty in the traditionally accepted way. Meryl Streep would probably be considered more handsome than pretty. On the other hand, handsome women usually age better than pretty ones. Meryl Streep will still be handsome long after Brittany Spears has stopped being pretty.
2006-09-30 21:04:16 · answer #1 · answered by rainbeauclown 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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RE:
can the adjective handsome be used for females as well?
2015-08-19 05:20:23 · answer #2 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if handsome is an adjective but handsomer and handsomest is - yes it can be used for females but not generally in the same terms, it means striking or imposing rather than conventionally pretty, hope this helps!
2006-09-30 21:37:52 · answer #3 · answered by Debbie's angel 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes, handsome can be used for both male and female because handsome is defined as pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
2006-10-01 00:27:55 · answer #4 · answered by Lynn Rosemary 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It's been used often. But it has become slightly derogatory. People often use "She is a handsome woman" when the lady in question is considered too "old" to be called "cute", "pretty" or "drop dead gorgeous". In a way, it's like the word "interesting". If someone presented an work of art or piece of fiction to you, and you called it "interesting", it used to be a compliment saying that the work evoked your interest. Now, it has evolved into a meaningless platitude, and if you call an artists work interesting, he or she is likely to take it as an insult.
2006-09-30 20:43:42 · answer #5 · answered by Rico Toasterman JPA 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Of course. It's better than merely "pretty" which is usually temporary. Handsome women stay better looking for longer.
2006-09-30 20:12:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yep.
In d "Pride & Prjudice" a certain character called Bingley tells dat Elizabeth is very handsome.
2006-09-30 21:59:32 · answer #7 · answered by Ash 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would never call a female "handsome". Too masculine sounding.
2006-09-30 20:13:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
not so much recently, but in the past it was used to describe some females... think pride and prejudice, jane austen
2006-09-30 21:25:11 · answer #9 · answered by jazzy_chica85 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. This is very common in literature and movies.
2006-10-01 09:34:57 · answer #10 · answered by ericscribener 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋