pretty handsome

USAGE SUMMARY

"pretty handsome" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe someone who is attractive or good-looking, but not extremely so. Example: "He was a pretty handsome man, with striking blue eyes and a charming smile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"He's pretty handsome vertically.

The New York Times

But overall this is pretty handsome".

The New York Times

"Actually, I find him pretty handsome," Connie added.

The New Yorker

In fact, all the corners are pretty handsome".

The New York Times

There's also a pretty handsome wide, a pretty tasty off-drive and two further boundaries.

The Guardian - Sport

It probably helps that Norton looks pretty handsome in a cassock.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Think about your granddaughters and grandsons Don't sleep with mean people, pretty or handsome Mean people hold the gene pool for ransom.

The New York Times - Science

It could be that the pretty and handsome get a helping hand from their colleagues, bosses (and, in the case of politicians, voters) which is denied to the plain and the unseemly.

The Economist

Abercrombie's aggressive approach to building a pretty and handsome sales force, an effort that company officials proudly acknowledge, is a leading example of what many industry experts and sociologists describe as a steadily growing trend in American retailing.

The New York Times

Oh, and did I mention that the app is pretty damned handsome too?

TechCrunch

The Lumia series pretty damned handsome in general, but I think the white 900 oozes just a bit more style than the others.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, "pretty handsome" can add a touch of informality or understatement.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty handsome" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated or precise language to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty handsome" functions as a compound adjective modifying a noun, typically a person. According to Ludwig AI, it describes someone as attractive but not exceptionally so. Examples in Ludwig show its use in describing physical appearance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

21%

HuffPost

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty handsome" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe someone who is moderately attractive. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. Its usage is common across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki content, although it's advisable to avoid it in highly formal settings. Related phrases include "quite attractive" and "fairly good-looking". When using "pretty handsome", be mindful of the context and audience to ensure the tone aligns with your intended message. Remember to avoid overusing it in formal writing to maintain a polished and professional tone. It functions as a compound adjective, expressing a casual assessment of appearance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

noticeably handsome

Highlights that the person in question is easily perceived as "handsome".

quite attractive

Replaces "handsome" with "attractive" and "pretty" with "quite", softening the intensity.

moderately attractive

Replaces both words with near synonyms, keeping the meaning closely intact but sounding more formal.

fairly good-looking

Substitutes "handsome" with "good-looking" and "pretty" with "fairly", providing a more general description.

reasonably attractive

Synonymous replacement, it softens the intensity.

rather dashing

Uses "dashing" to convey a more refined and stylish handsomeness, altering the tone slightly.

decidedly attractive

Emphasizes "attractive" more strongly than "pretty handsome" does.

somewhat appealing

Employs "appealing" to express attractiveness in a broader sense, reducing the focus on physical appearance.

uncommonly handsome

Portrays the subject as someone whose handsomeness is a rare trait.

strikingly attractive

Changes the degree of attractiveness from moderately handsome to attention grabbing.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty handsome" to describe someone's appearance, such as "He's a "pretty handsome" guy with a great smile".

What's the difference between "pretty handsome" and "very handsome"?

"Pretty handsome" indicates a moderate level of attractiveness, while "very handsome" implies a higher degree of attractiveness. "Pretty" softens the impact compared to "very".

Are there other ways to say "pretty handsome"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "quite attractive", "fairly good-looking", or "somewhat appealing", depending on the context.

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

While generally acceptable, "pretty handsome" might be too informal for certain professional contexts. Consider using more neutral or formal terms like "attractive" or "good-looking" instead.