she is handsome

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "she is handsome" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a woman or girl who is good looking or attractive in terms of her physical appearance. Example: She is handsome in a classic, timeless way with her chiseled jawline and sparkling blue eyes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Yes, she is "handsome, clever and rich".

The Guardian - Books

One of the few nursery rhymes to engage with cities poses a question: "She is handsome / she is pretty / she is the girl of the golden city.

The New Yorker

That she is handsome and even-featured only partly explains the way she captivates viewers and the lens of a camera.

The New York Times

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet One of the few nursery rhymes to engage with cities poses a question: "She is handsome / she is pretty / she is the girl of the golden city.

The New Yorker

Repeatedly I was told that I would make a great salesman, which to a young finance grad was as complimentary as telling a woman she is handsome.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Instead she's handsome, and disarmingly sexy.

The Guardian - Film

She was handsome in her fleshy way, Etheridge supposed.

The New Yorker

She was simple, she had a kind of simple earthy — She was handsome.

The New Yorker

She was handsome in a square-jawed way and deeply tanned.

The New Yorker

Described as a "mixture of Mistress Quickly and Florence Nightingale with a touch of Lady Macbeth thrown in", she was handsome, long-legged, and intensely sociable.

The Guardian - Books

"We thought we'd keep this one as she's handsome enough to enter for shows," says Sean O'Donovan, assistant head, leaning over to scratch the sow's stomach as she luxuriates in a shaft of autumnal sunshine.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she is handsome" to describe a woman who has strong, well-defined features that are traditionally associated with masculine attractiveness, or to describe a person whose appearance is striking and impressive. Remember that this phrasing can sometimes be interpreted as unconventional, so use it with awareness of your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "she is handsome" if you intend to convey a delicate or traditionally feminine type of beauty. Consider using alternatives like "she is beautiful" or "she is attractive" if that is your intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she is handsome" functions as a subjective description, attributing a specific type of attractiveness to a female subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig show it applied to women with strong features or a striking presence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she is handsome" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a woman possessing strong, striking features, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While less conventional than "she is beautiful", it expresses admiration for a distinctive, often unconventional attractiveness. Ludwig's examples reveal its usage across varied contexts, although primarily in News & Media. When using the phrase, be mindful of its connotation and audience to ensure the intended message is effectively communicated. Consider alternatives like "she is attractive" or "she is striking" if a more general or emphatic description is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she is attractive

Replaces "handsome" with a more general term for physical appeal.

she is beautiful

Emphasizes a more delicate and conventionally feminine form of attractiveness.

she is good-looking

A common and straightforward way to describe someone's pleasing appearance.

she is striking

Highlights a particularly noticeable and memorable beauty.

she has an appealing appearance

A more formal and less direct way of expressing attractiveness.

she possesses great beauty

A more emphatic and sophisticated expression of beauty.

she is lovely

Conveys a gentle and charming kind of beauty.

she is fair

Suggests a light and pure beauty, often with fair skin and hair.

she is pretty

Indicates a delicate and pleasing, but perhaps less intense, beauty.

she is exquisite

Emphasizes a refined, delicate and flawless beauty.

FAQs

Is it appropriate to describe a woman as "handsome"?

Yes, though it's less common than describing a man that way. It suggests she has strong, striking features rather than delicate beauty. The appropriateness depends on the context and the specific impression you want to create.

What are some alternatives to saying "she is handsome"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, alternatives include "she is attractive", "she is striking", or "she is good-looking".

What does it mean when someone says a woman is "handsome"?

It generally means the person finds her features strong, well-defined, and pleasing to the eye. It often implies a sense of admiration for her overall appearance and can suggest a classic beauty.

When would you use "she is handsome" instead of "she is beautiful"?

"She is handsome" is often used when a woman has strong, striking features that are not necessarily traditionally feminine. "She is beautiful" is a more general term for female attractiveness, while "she is handsome" suggests something more distinctive and less conventional.