Handsome vs How good-looking he is

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Handsome

Top 2,000 (common)

How good-looking he is

Informal Beyond 10,000 (less common)

Most formal: Handsome Most common: Handsome

	Handsome	How good-looking he is
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //ˈhæn.səm// 🇺🇸 //ˈhæn.səm//	🇬🇧 //haʊ ɡʊdˈlʊkɪŋ hi ɪz// 🇺🇸 //haʊ ɡʊdˈlʊkɪŋ hi ɪz//
Meaning	Attractive or good-looking, usually used for men.	How attractive someone appears.
Example	He is a handsome young man with striking features.	Everyone keeps saying, 'How good-looking he is!' when he walks into the room.
Register	Neutral	Informal
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Collocations	handsome face, handsome prince, handsome features, handsome man, handsome salary	good-looking guy, how good-looking, good-looking features, really good-looking, very good-looking
Antonyms	ugly, unattractive, plain	-
Common mistakes	Used for women, which might sound awkward., Confused with 'handsomely', which means generously or richly., Overused in environments where more specific compliments are preferred.	Confused with 'how good he looks' which is more direct., Omitting 'how' makes it less expressive., Used in inappropriate contexts, like job interviews.
Usage notes	"Handsome" is typically used for men, while "beautiful" is often used for women. It's considered polite but not overly formal.	Used in casual conversations to compliment someone's appearance. Avoid in formal or professional settings.

See it in real clips

Some years later, that handsome young man

Game Of Thrones › S1 E1

They say that he is the most handsome man in the Seven Kingdoms.

Some years later, that handsome young man

Game Of Thrones › S1 E1

They say that he is the most handsome man in the Seven Kingdoms.

Handsome

Breaking Bad › S1 E4

Tell him how good-looking he is.

How good-looking he is

Frequently asked questions: Handsome vs How good-looking he is

What's the difference between Handsome and How good-looking he is?

Handsome: Attractive or good-looking, usually used for men. How good-looking he is: How attractive someone appears.

Which is more formal: Handsome and How good-looking he is?

Handsome is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Handsome and How good-looking he is?

Handsome is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Handsome: He is a handsome young man with striking features. How good-looking he is: Everyone keeps saying, 'How good-looking he is!' when he walks into the room.

Can I use Handsome and How good-looking he is interchangeably?

Not always. Handsome and How good-looking he is are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.