- "Hansome" is an incorrect spelling of the word "handsome."
- "Handsome" is an adjective used to describe someone (typically a man) or something that is physically attractive or impressive. For people, it often means having a nice face and a well-proportioned appearance.
❌ James is a hansome young man with charming blue eyes and a friendly smile.
✅ James is a handsome young man with charming blue eyes and a friendly smile.
In this sentence, "handsome" describes James as being good-looking or attractive. It suggests that he possesses pleasing physical features, such as charming blue eyes and a friendly smile.
What does "handsome" mean?
"Handsome" is an adjective most commonly used to describe physical attractiveness (of men). Depending on the context, it can also have broader meanings:
- Attractive Appearance: Describing someone as visually pleasing or good-looking, often with well-proportioned features, as in "a handsome young man."
- Generous or Substantial: Referring to a generous or substantial amount, as in "a handsome salary" or "a handsome reward." In these cases, it indicates a significant or ample quantity.
- Well-Made or Impressive: Describing objects, places, or designs as visually pleasing, well-crafted, or impressive, as in "a handsome piece of furniture" or "a handsome building."
The Ngram graph below shows how often "handsome" and "hansome" have been used from the 1800s to the 2000s. "Handsome" saw a dip in popularity from the 1900s to early 2000s, but is increasing again in use in recent years, while its misspelling "hansome" has always seen nearly zero use.
How to pronounce "handsome"
"Handsome" is pronounced very similarly in American and British English, although in British English, the "a" vowel might be slightly deeper, closer to the one in "father." Note that the "d" is silent.
- Phonetic Pronunciation: HAN-suhm
- HAN: Pronounced like "han," rhyming with "ran."
- suhm: Pronounced like "suhm," rhyming with "some."
Why would we misspell "handsome" as "hansome"?
Eye/Ear Mismatch: English spelling can be tricky, and "handsome" is a prime example. Since the "d" is silent, people may forget to include it in the spelling of the word.
Typo/Autocorrect: Typos happen! Mistakes while typing fast or on an unfamiliar keyboard can easily result in misspelling "handsome" as "hansome," especially if autocorrect isn't set to recognize the correct spelling.
Other common misspellings of "handsome"
- hansom
- handsom
- handome
- hendome
- hadsome
Example sentences of the misspelling of "handsome" as "hansome"
- It's essential to be aware that "hansome" is an incorrect spelling of "handsome," and using it may lead to confusion in written communication.
- The teacher marked the essay with a correction, emphasizing that "hansome" is not the correct way to spell the word.
- Auto-correct on your device may highlight "hansome" as an error, prompting you to use the accurate spelling, "handsome."
- In formal writing, it's crucial to avoid using "hansome" and opt for the correct spelling to maintain clarity and professionalism.
- English language guidelines consistently stress that "hansome" is a misspelling, and writers should take care to use the proper spelling, "handsome."
Example sentences of "handsome"
- The movie star received compliments for his handsome looks on the red carpet.
- The antique clock on the shelf is a handsome piece of craftsmanship.
- Sarah's cat is quite handsome, with its sleek fur and striking markings.
- The historical building has a handsome façade, attracting tourists from far and wide.
- The prince was known for his handsome features and regal demeanor.
- Our neighbor drives a handsome sports car that turns heads on the street.
- The gardener planted a row of handsome flowers that added beauty to the front yard.
- The old book had a handsome leather cover that showed signs of age and character.
- The groom looked handsome in his tailored suit on the wedding day.
- The teacher praised Emily for her handsome drawing of a sunset during art class.
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Synonyms for "handsome"
- Attractive
- Good-looking
- Charming
- Appealing
- Alluring
- Dashing
- Elegant
- Well-favored
- Striking
- Fetching
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