handsomely
gb/hˈænsəmli/ us/hˈænsəmli/
C1
English
~ 9000
busásan, fölényesen, igényesen, nagylelkűen
C1
1
busásan
C1
Usage pattern:
to [pay/reward/tip] [someone] handsomely
The company paid her handsomely for her consulting work.
A cég busásan megfizette őt a tanácsadói munkájáért.
Investors who took the early risk were rewarded handsomely.
A korai kockázatot vállaló befektetőket busásan jutalmazták.
He tipped the waiter handsomely after the excellent meal.
Authors of bestsellers can be compensated handsomely by their publishers.
They profited handsomely from the sale of the building.
Learner examples
She was paid handsomely for the job.
Busásan megfizették a munkáért.
The boss rewarded him handsomely for his hard work.
A főnök busásan megjutalmazta a kemény munkájáért.
We tipped the guide handsomely at the end of the tour.
Early investors were rewarded handsomely.
He hopes to profit handsomely from the new app.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "handsomely" is only about physical beauty because of the adjective "handsome". In this sense it usually means "with a lot of money" or "in a generous way" and is common with verbs like "pay", "reward", or "compensate". Another mistake is using it before a noun (*"a handsomely salary"*); it is an adverb and should modify a verb: "paid a handsomely high salary" or simply "paid handsomely".
Meaning
in a very generous amount
Collocations
pay handsomely
|be paid handsomely
|reward someone handsomely
|compensate someone handsomely
|profit handsomely
|tip handsomely
Synonyms
generously (Very close in meaning; common in both money and non-money contexts, while "handsomely" is especially common with payment or reward.)
|
amply (Suggests more than enough; slightly more formal and less tied specifically to money than "handsomely".)
|
lavishly (Implies great expense and luxury, often stronger and more emotional than the more neutral "handsomely".)
Antonyms
poorly (In the context of pay or reward, it means receiving too little, the opposite of being paid or rewarded handsomely.)
|
stingily (Focuses on the giver’s unwillingness to give much, the opposite attitude of giving handsomely.)
Themes
money
|business
|work
|success
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a very big and generous way, especially when giving money or a reward.
To a large and generous degree, especially in the form of money, payment, or reward.
C1
2
fölényesen
B2
Usage pattern:
to win/defeat/lead [someone] handsomely
The home team won handsomely, scoring four goals in the second half.
A hazai csapat fölényesen nyert, a második félidőben négy gólt szerezve.
Polls suggest the incumbent will win handsomely in the election.
A felmérések szerint a hivatalban lévő jelölt fölényesen fog nyerni a választáson.
Our product has outperformed its rivals handsomely this year.
They defeated their opponents handsomely in both matches.
Shareholders saw profits rise handsomely over the past quarter.
Learner examples
Our team won handsomely yesterday.
A csapatunk tegnap fölényesen nyert.
She won the election handsomely.
Fölényesen megnyerte a választást.
The company beat its competitors handsomely this year.
Sales have grown handsomely since last summer.
They defeated the other side handsomely in the final.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with physical appearance. In sentences like "The team won handsomely", it does NOT mean the team looked handsome; it means they won by a large amount or with clear success. Learners may also overuse "a lot"; while correct, "won handsomely" sounds more natural and idiomatic than *"won a lot"*.
Meaning
by a large clear margin
Collocations
win handsomely
|defeat someone handsomely
|lead handsomely
|increase handsomely
|outperform handsomely
Synonyms
comfortably (In competitive contexts it often means winning without pressure, similar to "handsomely" but slightly less formal.)
|
decisively (Emphasizes a clear, definite result; similar to "handsomely" but can also apply to non-numerical decisions.)
|
by a wide margin (A direct descriptive phrase; less stylish but very clear and common in spoken English.)
Antonyms
narrowly (Describes a win or result that is very close, opposite to the broad success implied by "handsomely".)
|
barely (Suggests only just succeeding, which contrasts with the comfortable success of winning handsomely.)
Themes
sports
|politics
|competition
|success
|core_vocabulary
Definition
With a very big win or clear success, not just a little better than the other side.
By a clearly large margin or to a very great degree of success, especially in sports, elections, or competitions.
C2
FORMAL
3
igényesen
B2
Usage pattern:
to be [decorated/furnished/built] handsomely
The apartment was handsomely furnished with dark wood and soft lighting.
A lakás igényesen volt berendezve sötét fabútorokkal és lágy világítással.
The historic theater has been handsomely restored.
A történelmi színházat igényesen helyreállították.
She was handsomely dressed for the gala.
The library’s entrance is handsomely framed by tall stone columns.
Their house is handsomely built, with large windows and a wide porch.
Learner examples
The room was handsomely decorated for the party.
A szobát igényesen feldíszítették a partira.
The old building was handsomely restored.
A régi épületet igényesen helyreállították.
He was handsomely dressed for the wedding.
The garden is handsomely designed with many flowers.
The hotel lobby is handsomely furnished.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "handsomely" only for people. In modern English this sense is more often used for things like rooms, buildings, or clothes. For people, "well dressed" or "very good-looking" are usually more natural. Also remember word order: you say "handsomely decorated" or "decorated handsomely", not *"handsomely room"* (an adverb cannot directly modify a noun).
Meaning
in an attractive or impressive way
Collocations
handsomely decorated
|handsomely furnished
|handsomely landscaped
|handsomely built
|dressed handsomely
Synonyms
attractively (Very close in meaning; more general and common, while "handsomely" often suggests strong, clear, or solid good looks.)
|
elegantly (Adds a sense of style and refinement; "handsomely" can sound more robust or substantial rather than delicate.)
|
beautifully (More emotional and stronger; "handsomely" is a bit more measured and sometimes suggests tasteful rather than delicate beauty.)
Antonyms
plainly (Describes something without special decoration or beauty, the opposite of being decorated or furnished handsomely.)
|
unattractively (Directly states a lack of visual appeal, which contrasts with the attractive sense of "handsomely".)
Themes
appearance
|design
|art
|home
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a way that looks nice, strong, or impressive, especially for clothes, rooms, or buildings.
In a way that is visually attractive, well-formed, or impressive in appearance, often referring to clothing, rooms, buildings, or objects.
C2
FORMAL
4
nagylelkűen
B2
Usage pattern:
to treat [someone] handsomely
Although he lost the debate, he admitted defeat handsomely.
Bár elvesztette a vitát, nagylelkűen elismerte a vereségét.
They treated us handsomely during our stay, always making sure we had everything we needed.
Nagylelkűen bántak velünk az ott-tartózkodásunk alatt, és mindig ügyeltek rá, hogy mindenünk meglegyen, amire szükségünk volt.
She accepted the criticism handsomely and promised to improve.
He behaved handsomely, sharing the credit with his entire team.
The company responded handsomely to the charity’s request for help.
Learner examples
He admitted his mistake handsomely and said he was sorry.
Nagylelkűen elismerte a hibáját, és azt mondta, sajnálja.
They treated the guests handsomely at the party.
Nagylelkűen bántak a vendégekkel a partin.
She accepted the bad news handsomely.
The winner shared the prize money handsomely with his friends.
The company helped the town handsomely after the storm.
Common mistake:
This sense is less common and somewhat formal, so learners may misunderstand it as referring to looks. In sentences like "He admitted defeat handsomely", it means he did it in a very fair and gracious way, not that he looked handsome. Learners may also confuse it with just "politely"; here the idea is stronger, suggesting real generosity or fairness.
Meaning
in a generous or gracious way
Collocations
treat someone handsomely
|admit defeat handsomely
|behave handsomely
|respond handsomely
Synonyms
graciously (Focuses on politeness and kindness in a refined way; very close in contexts like accepting defeat or criticism.)
|
generously (Highlights giving more than is necessary; overlaps with this sense when the emphasis is on noble or fair behavior.)
|
nobly (Suggests high moral character; close in tone when "handsomely" is used for honorable behavior.)
Antonyms
spitefully (Describes behavior that is cruel or meant to hurt, the opposite of the generous spirit of acting handsomely.)
|
meanly (Informal but common; describes small-minded or ungenerous behavior, contrasting with treating someone handsomely.)
Themes
character
|behavior
|social
|emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a very generous, fair, or kind way, especially when you could easily be less kind or fair.
In a way that shows generosity, fairness, or graciousness, especially in one’s behavior toward others or in accepting defeat or criticism.
Grammar
Dictionary form
handsomely
IPA
GB/hˈænsəmli/
US/hˈænsəmli/
Syllables & stress
hand - somely (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (hand)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: handsomely
- Plural: handsomelies
Word family
Expressions
pay handsomely
1/pˈeɪ hˈænsəmli/
fixed phrase
give a very large payment
To give a lot of money to someone, usually as pay or reward.
Examples
- Tech companies often pay handsomely for top engineers.
- If the project succeeds, it will pay handsomely for everyone involved.
reward handsomely
1/ɹɪwˈɔɹd hˈænsəmli/
fixed phrase
give a very generous reward
To give a big and generous reward to someone.
Examples
- Loyal customers are often rewarded handsomely with bonuses and gifts.
- The scientist was rewarded handsomely for her discovery.
win handsomely
1/wˈɪn hˈænsəmli/
fixed phrase
win by a large margin
To win very clearly, with a big difference in score or votes.
Examples
- The underdogs surprised everyone and won handsomely.
- Early results suggest that the reform party will win handsomely.