Is word 'handsome' used in modern languague?

Status
Not open for further replies.

RyneWind

New member
Joined
Jan 18, 2013
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Russian
Home Country
Russian Federation
Current Location
Russian Federation
I've heard few times that word 'handsome' is not widely used now. So the question is whether native speakers still use that word in everyday speech or not.
 

Rover_KE

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
England
We certainly do.

Only yesterday I sold my car for a handsome profit.

Rover
 

bhaisahab

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
Ireland

SoothingDave

VIP Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
I've heard few times that word 'handsome' is not widely used now. So the question is whether native speakers still use that word in everyday speech or not.

It's mostly only used to describe certain attractive men.
 

emsr2d2

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
I wouldn't say that many young people use "handsome" to describe attractive men. I think they would go for "hot", "sexy", "gorgeous", "lush", "reem" (still Essex slang), and probably a whole raft of words that I don't know because I'm too old!
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
I've heard few times that word 'handsome' is not widely used now. So the question is whether native speakers still use that word in everyday speech or not.

Where did you hear this? I still hear it used. There are plenty of new slang terms, but that doesn't mean that the word has fallen into disuse.
 

5jj

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 14, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
Czech Republic
Current Location
Czech Republic
I rarely hear it used by younger people, except in the fixed phrase 'tall, dark and handsome'.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top