What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Muscular vs Handsome - What's the difference?

muscular | handsome |

As adjectives the difference between muscular and handsome

is that muscular is of, relating to, or connected with muscles while handsome is (obsolete|said of things and people) dexterous; skillful.

As a verb handsome is

(obsolete) to render handsome.

muscular

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of, relating to, or connected with muscles.
  • * 1912 , , A Princess of Mars , chapter 2
    • It was an effort of the mind, of the will, of the nerves; not muscular , for I could not move even so much as my little finger, but none the less mighty for all that.
  • Brawny, thewy, having strength.
  • * 1843 , , Stave Two
    • The arms were very long and muscular ; the hands the same, as if its hold were of uncommon strength.
  • Having large, well-developed muscles.
  • (figurative) Strong, robust.
  • * 2014 June 9, Samanth Subramanian, " India After English?" (blog post), nybooks.com:
    • Future prime ministers may struggle to replicate the sort of muscular countrywide support that Modi was able to earn.

    Synonyms

    * (of or relating to muscles) myo- * (having strength) athletic, beefy, brawny, husky, lusty, muscled, muscly, powerful, strapping, strong * (having well-developed muscles) beefy, brawny, heavily muscled, husky, musclebound, muscled, muscly, powerfully built, well-built

    Related terms

    * muscularity * musculature

    Derived terms

    * most muscular * muscular dystrophy

    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.