How does the adjective beautiful differ from other similar words? Some common synonyms of beautiful are comely , fair , handsome , lovely , and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.
How are the words comely and handsome related as synonyms of beautiful? Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to. The words fair and beautiful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness. While in some cases nearly identical to beautiful , handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.
Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite. In what contexts can pretty take the place of beautiful? The words pretty and beautiful can be used in similar contexts, but pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.
Here are some additional words for calling something lovely. Accessed 31 Jan. Nglish: Translation of beautiful for Spanish Speakers. Britannica English: Translation of beautiful for Arabic Speakers. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchβad free! See Definitions and Examples Β». Log In. Definition of beautiful. Synonym Chooser.
When can fair be used instead of beautiful? When could handsome be used to replace beautiful? How do lovely and beautiful relate to one another? Example Sentences. Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback. Recent Examples of beautiful Registration includes admission to the beautiful gardens before or after class.
