hey handsome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hey handsome" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a casual greeting or compliment directed towards someone perceived as attractive. Example: "As I walked into the café, I spotted him and couldn't help but say, 'Hey handsome, how have you been?'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

While Jaafari maintains she was just an intern with minimal responsibility, she was apparently close enough to al-Assad to write "hey handsome" and "I love u" in emails obtained by CNN.

Huffington Post

As for her time working for the Syrian regime and its dictator, the glamorous-looking Jaafari says she was merely an intern and was made a scapegoat, although apparently she was intimate enough with him to send gooey emails with phrases like "hey handsome" and "I love u," CNN reported.

Huffington Post

"Hey, handsome," she says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Hey, handsome!" Ms. Deen squeals at the start of the second episode, to be shown tonight.

The New York Times - Arts

"Hey, handsome," Sam began in a private Facebook message, "you seem like a lot of fun".

Huffington Post

"Hey, handsome," he wrote, "how would you feel about getting together for dinner tonight?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Hey you, handsome front-runner in the mirror, give me a high five!

The New York Times

"The moral of this story is 'cuff your bitch'," croons Kelly, "'cos hey, I'm black, handsome, I sing, plus I'm rich - and I'm a flirt".

The Guardian - Music

After two more novels, The Tennis Handsome (1983) and Hey Jack! (1987), and his second collection of stories, Captain Maximus (1985), he produced the partly autobiographical short novel Boomerang (1989).

The Guardian - Books

Over the years, such performances recurred, in novels jammed with incident and infatuated with language, like "The Tennis Handsome" (1983) and "Hey Jack!" (1987).

The New York Times - Books

Hi, Handsome!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hey handsome" in writing, consider your audience, as it is generally more appropriate in casual or fictional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "hey handsome" in professional or formal communications as it can be perceived as unprofessional or inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hey handsome" functions primarily as an interjection and a form of address. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a casual greeting or compliment. The word "hey" serves as an interjection, drawing attention, while "handsome" is an adjective used to compliment the person being addressed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hey handsome" is a casual and informal greeting typically used to express admiration or attraction. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English, yet, as seen through various examples, it is best suited for informal settings and personal interactions. When in doubt, use a neutral greeting for formal contexts. To expand your repertoire, consider using alternatives like "hello there, good-looking" or "hi there, attractive" to adapt to different social contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hello there, good-looking

More formal and elaborate way of greeting someone attractively.

hi there, attractive

Directly acknowledges the person's attractiveness.

hey there, beautiful

Replaces "handsome" with "beautiful", suitable for addressing a woman.

well hello there

More playful and flirtatious.

how you doin'?

Casual, and slightly flirtatious greeting.

hey there, cutie

Uses a more affectionate term.

greetings, handsome

More formal greeting.

hi, good-looking

A shorter, more direct greeting that still acknowledges attractiveness.

hello, gorgeous

Similar in tone but uses a different compliment.

how's it going, handsome?

Adds a casual inquiry to the compliment.

FAQs

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

"Hey handsome" is typically used as an informal greeting or a playful compliment. For example, you might say, "Hey handsome, how's your day going?" or "I saw you across the room and had to say, hey handsome!"

What are some alternative ways to say "hey handsome"?

You can use alternatives such as "hello there, good-looking", "hi there, attractive", or "well hello there", depending on the context and your relationship with the person you are addressing.

Is it appropriate to use "hey handsome" in professional settings?

Generally, it is not appropriate to use "hey handsome" in professional settings. It is considered too informal and potentially inappropriate for workplace interactions. Using more neutral greetings like "hello" or "good morning/afternoon/evening" is advisable.

What is the difference between saying "hey handsome" and "you're handsome"?

"Hey handsome" serves as a greeting or a playful opening, while "you're handsome" is a direct compliment. The former is often used casually upon meeting someone, while the latter is a statement acknowledging someone's attractiveness at any point in a conversation.