a good-looking guy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good-looking guy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a man who is attractive or pleasing in appearance. Example: "At the party, she couldn't help but notice a good-looking guy across the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Someone tells me, "It's my birthday!" Someone else is holding up a handwritten sign that says "dick for tits?" A good-looking guy says, "hey bitch you look like you smoke pot… wanna hear a joke?

Vice

No one looking at me now would believe that I was once a good-looking guy who didn't have to try too hard to meet girls.

Huffington Post

I'm a good-looking guy.

The New York Times - Sports

"Take Barack Obama, there's a good-looking guy," he would introduce a twisty legal case).

The New York Times

"He has a good line and he's a good-looking guy.

The New York Times

"He wasn't even a good-looking guy, so it wasn't even worth it," Sorenstam said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I mean, Dan is a good-looking guy, but I've never seen him with a woman.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

He said Chase Likens, a 20-year-old country singer from West Virginia, "is a good looking guy" but needed to "be fresh" to win.

The New York Times

[He's] a good looking guy with tremendous intelligence.

BBC

"Channing Tatum is a good looking guy".

Huffington Post

Aden has been described as a "good looking guy with a smile that melts every heart".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "a good-looking guy", ensure the context aligns with the generally positive connotation. Consider whether other descriptors (e.g. intelligent, kind) are also relevant to provide a more complete picture.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on physical appearance when describing a character. While stating that someone is "a good-looking guy" provides initial information, develop their personality and traits to create a more engaging and realistic portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good-looking guy" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying the noun "guy". It serves to attribute a quality of physical attractiveness to a male individual. Ludwig examples show this phrase used in diverse contexts, highlighting its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

4%

Huffington Post

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good-looking guy" is a common phrase used to describe a man who is considered physically attractive. As Ludwig AI shows, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, and while generally neutral in register, it's crucial to consider the context and audience when using it. For more formal settings, alternatives like "an attractive man" might be preferable. It is grammatically correct, and is used to effectively communicate someone’s positive physical attributes. Overall, this phrase is appropriate and understood in a wide variety of situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an attractive man

Focuses directly on the quality of attractiveness, a more straightforward alternative.

a handsome man

Emphasizes a refined and dignified type of attractiveness.

a strikingly handsome man

Highlights an exceptional degree of handsomeness.

a physically attractive man

Specifies that the attraction is due to physical appearance.

an appealing man

Focuses on the subjective quality of being liked or enjoyed.

a fine-looking man

Uses a slightly old-fashioned term for attractive appearance.

a well-favored man

An archaic expression indicating an attractive appearance.

a dreamboat

An informal, often humorous, term for an extremely attractive person.

eye candy

Focuses on superficial visual appeal, often implying a lack of substance.

a hunk

Informal term for a muscular and attractive man.

FAQs

How can I use "a good-looking guy" in a sentence?

You can use "a good-looking guy" to describe a man who is physically attractive. For example, "She noticed "a good-looking guy" at the party and decided to introduce herself".

What are some alternatives to "a good-looking guy"?

Some alternatives include "an attractive man", "a handsome man", or "a strikingly handsome man", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use the phrase "a good-looking guy" in formal writing?

While "a good-looking guy" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "an attractive man" or "a handsome man" might be more suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What does it mean when someone is described as "a good-looking guy"?

The phrase generally means the person has a physically appealing or attractive appearance based on conventional standards. The degree of attractiveness is subjective and depends on personal preferences.