unhandsome

adjective

un·​hand·​some ˌən-ˈhan(t)-səm How to pronounce unhandsome (audio)
Synonyms of unhandsomenext
1
: not physically attractive : not beautiful : homely
2
old-fashioned + literary
a
: unbecoming, unseemly
… I have a very genuine dislike for all unhandsome dealings in money matters …Samuel Butler
b
: lacking in courtesy or taste : rude
I considered this one of the most unhandsome speeches ever made … I can scarce reconcile it to my notion of a gentleman …Robert Louis Stevenson
unhandsomely adverb

Examples of unhandsome in a Sentence

a character actor with a distinctively craggy, unhandsome face in an interview the free-spoken actor made some unhandsome remarks about his costars

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unhandsome was in 1530

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unhandsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unhandsome. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

unhandsome

adjective
un·​hand·​some ˌən-ˈhan(t)-səm How to pronounce unhandsome (audio)
: not handsome: as
a
: not beautiful : homely
b
: unbecoming, unseemly
an unhandsome habit
c
: lacking in courtesy or taste
unhandsome language
unhandsomely adverb
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