English Dictionary

HANDSOMELY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does handsomely mean? 

HANDSOMELY (adverb)
  The adverb HANDSOMELY has 2 senses:

1. in an attractively handsome mannerplay

2. in a generously handsome mannerplay

  Familiarity information: HANDSOMELY used as an adverb is rare.


 Dictionary entry details 


HANDSOMELY (adverb)


Sense 1

Meaning:

In an attractively handsome manner

Context example:

the volume was handsomely bound

Pertainym:

handsome (pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion)


Sense 2

Meaning:

In a generously handsome manner

Context example:

India has responded handsomely by providing 3,000 men

Pertainym:

handsome (given or giving freely)


 Context examples 


Miss Tilney was in a very pretty spotted muslin, and I fancy, by what I can learn, that she always dresses very handsomely.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Tom was the only one at all ready with an answer, but he being entirely without particular regard for either, without jealousy either in love or acting, could speak very handsomely of both.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

It was handsomely said, and the two men for the first time shook hands.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He very handsomely hopes they will be happy together; and there is nothing very unforgiving in that, I think.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Do you imagine that I bestow a thought on it, or suppose you could do any harm to that low place, which money would not pay for, and handsomely?

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

“And I have not forgotten,” said Emma, “how sure you were that he might have come sooner if he would. You pass it over very handsomely—but you were perfectly right.”

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

The house was handsome, and handsomely fitted up, and the young ladies were immediately put in possession of a very comfortable apartment.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

It was a large, well proportioned room, handsomely fitted up.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Soon in came buyers, who paid him handsomely for his goods, so that he bought leather enough for four pair more.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

The editors were behaving handsomely, Martin concluded.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)



 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"Close but no cigar." (English proverb)

"Walk lightly in the spring; Mother Earth is pregnant." (Native American proverb, Kiowa)

"Birds of a feather flock together." (Arabic proverb)

"What comes easily is lost easily." (Egyptian proverb)



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