fairly handsome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly handsome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is moderately attractive or good-looking, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "He is fairly handsome, with striking features and a charming smile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

You're fairly handsome.

The Guardian - Music

That could translate into a fairly handsome return for the two firms.

The New York Times

But it would be nice to end up with a planet that we can still relate to, that still has a fairly handsome biodiversity.

The Guardian

In honor of our fighting men and women watchmaker Blancier has created an affordable and fairly handsome quartz chrono called the Desert Wold.

TechCrunch

The site is fairly handsome and they've just launched so there's no telling if this idea will take off, but good on these lads for trying.

TechCrunch

This watch, designed by Christian Mikkelsen and Lau Liengaard Ruge, is an ultrathin, fairly handsome sports watch with a thin quartz movement and PVD-coated case and band.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Thomas Vinterberg, 26, fairly tall, handsome, blond, turns up in the middle of a meal at my house.

The Guardian

On the surface, Bruton is a fairly typical West Country town – handsome, peaceful, unassuming.

The Guardian - Travel

Mr. Cronin, Brad Fischetti and Devin Lima do seem fairly dateable, although more dauntingly handsome than most boy-band members.

The New York Times - Arts

Handsome, clever and fairly rich, Jasper chases incessantly after women, until a mysterious blonde upsets his immaculate gameplan.

The Guardian - Books

A handsome reward for a fairly low-risk investment.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly handsome" to describe someone or something that is moderately attractive, without being overly effusive or superlative. It is a balanced and understated way to express admiration.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly handsome" in very formal or professional settings where a more sophisticated or precise adjective would be appropriate. Opt for alternatives like "attractive" or "striking" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly handsome" functions as a compound adjective used to describe the degree of attractiveness of a person, object, or place. Ludwig's examples show that it's used to convey a nuanced assessment, indicating that something or someone is more than just 'handsome' but not exceptionally so.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly handsome" is a compound adjective phrase that functions to describe something or someone as moderately attractive. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and primarily used in news and media contexts. While not exceedingly common, it offers a nuanced and balanced way to express admiration, avoiding overly effusive language. When writing, consider the context and opt for more precise adjectives in highly formal or professional settings to avoid sounding too casual.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately attractive

Replaces "fairly" with "moderately", indicating a similar degree of attractiveness.

somewhat handsome

Substitutes "fairly" with "somewhat", conveying a slightly less certain or enthusiastic assessment.

quite attractive

Uses "quite" instead of "fairly", suggesting a slightly higher degree of attractiveness.

reasonably good-looking

Replaces "handsome" with "good-looking" and "fairly" with "reasonably", offering a more general description.

passably handsome

Employs "passably", which suggests that the person meets the basic requirements of being handsome, but doesn't exceed expectations.

averagely handsome

Replaces "fairly" with "averagely", that suggest a lower degree of the level of attractiveness.

kind of handsome

Uses "kind of" to soften the assessment, making it more casual and less definitive.

noticeably attractive

Shift the focus from 'handsome' to 'attractive', emphasizing the ability to be noticed.

not unattractive

Uses a double negative to express that the person is somewhat attractive, but in an indirect way.

decently attractive

Replaces 'handsome' with 'attractive', indicating an acceptable level of attractiveness.

FAQs

How can I use "fairly handsome" in a sentence?

You can use "fairly handsome" to describe someone's appearance, such as, "He is "fairly handsome", with a charming smile and striking features."

What are some alternatives to "fairly handsome"?

Some alternatives include "moderately attractive", "somewhat handsome", or "quite attractive", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "fairly handsome" a formal or informal expression?

"Fairly handsome" leans towards the informal side. In more formal settings, consider using more sophisticated adjectives like "attractive" or "striking".

What does "fairly" mean in the context of "fairly handsome"?

In this context, "fairly" means moderately or somewhat. It indicates a degree of handsomeness that is above average but not exceptionally so.