This is what I found from Encyclopedia Britannica: When a woman is described as handsome, it suggests that she is very good-looking, and also healthy and strong. Handsome is less likely to be used to describe a woman who is petite or delicate. It was my understanding it was for more masculine women, like tall, not soft features which is what it seems like here. |
No. It used to be a compliment for a woman as well. Usage has changed, but older people might still call a woman or a couple handsome. It's not an insult. https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/eb/qa/can-the-word-handsome-be-used-for-women |
Usually small frail women aren't called "handsome" if they are attractive; it's usually tall or really healthy or athletic women who are called handsome if they are attractive. |
. A woman being tall does not make her "masculine". |
We aren't talking about calling a woman handsome. |
It's an additional angle than sums to 90 with the original angle. What world do you live in? |
It’s not an insult. A handsome couple means a good looking couple. It’s a complement. The English language has subtleties like that. |
Compliment |
It is a compliment. It means both people are good looking and they are well matched in looks and type so as a pair they are a good looking pair. |
Tricky
‘Handsome woman’ - glen close. Insult. Means woman looks distinguished but weird. ‘Handsome man’ - obv fine ‘Handsome couple’ first of all who says this but I guess if someone did they mean they look pulled together rather than actually attractive as people . |
It means they look like attractive statues - not hot like people you want to invite into bed. Hire this couple to appear in your j crew catalog or run for political office. |