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Beau vs Handsome - What's the difference?

beau | handsome |

As a proper noun beau

is (male) used since mid-twentieth century.

As an adjective handsome is

(obsolete|said of things and people) dexterous; skillful.

As a verb handsome is

(obsolete) to render handsome.

beau

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • (dated) A man with a reputation for fine dress and etiquette; a dandy or fop.
  • * 1811 , Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility , chapter 21
    • “I do not comprehend the meaning of the word. But this I can say, that if he ever was a beau before he married, he is one still, for there is not the smallest alteration in him.”
    “Oh! dear! one never thinks of married mens’(SIC) being beaux —they have something else to do.”
  • (dated) A male lover; a boyfriend.
  • * 1917 , Kate Douglas Wiggin, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm , p. 142:
    • Hannah's beau takes all her time 'n' thought, and when she gits a husband her mother'll be out o' sight and out o' mind.
  • * 2009 , Philippa Bourke, Monsters and Critics [http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/news/article_1518335.php/Kristin-Davis-takes-cover-on-beach-with-beau#ixzz0ZRsqa5SS], Dec 10, 2009:
    • Kristin Davis has taken time out to enjoy the surf and sand with her Australian beau , photographer Russell James.
  • A male escort.

    • See also

    * beau- * beautiful * Beau

    References

    * English nouns with irregular plurals ----

    handsome

    English

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • (obsolete, said of things and people) Dexterous; skillful
  • *
  • *
  • (of a man) Visually attractive; pleasant looking.
    • a handsome' man; a ' handsome garment, house, tree, horse.
  • (of a woman) Striking, impressive and elegantly proportioned, though not typically beautiful.
  • Suitable or fit in action; marked with propriety and ease; graceful; becoming; appropriate.
    • a handsome style, etc.
  • *
  • Generous or noble in character
    • Handsome' is as ' handsome does.
  • Ample; moderately large.
    • a handsome salary
  • *
  • Having a good appearance
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=November 5 , author=Phil Dawkes , title=QPR 2 - 3 Man City , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=City have lapped up the plaudits this season for a series of handsome wins but manager Roberto Mancini has demanded that his side also learn to grind out results when they do not play well. He now has an example to point to.}}

    Derived terms

    * do the handsome thing

    Synonyms

    * (attractive) pretty

    Verb

    (handsom)
  • (obsolete) To render handsome.