unhandsomeness

A man's unhandsomeness was evident in his refusal to share his meal.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Ugliness or lack of attractiveness: "Unhandsomeness" refers to the quality of being unattractive in appearance, especially in terms of physical features.
   • Meanness or lack of generosity: It can also denote a lack of handsomeness in character, such as stinginess, unkindness, or a failure to be generous or noble.

Usage Examples

• Ugliness:

  • The unhandsomeness of the old building was evident in its cracked walls and faded paint. (The building was physically unattractive.)
  • She was self-conscious about her unhandsomeness, though her friends assured her she was beautiful. (She felt unattractive in appearance.)

• Meanness:

  • His unhandsomeness in refusing to share his lunch with the hungry child shocked everyone. (His lack of generosity was unkind.)
  • The unhandsomeness of his offer — only a few coins for a day's work — revealed his stinginess. (His offer was not generous or fair.)

Advanced Usage

• "The unhandsomeness of the deed": Refers to the moral unattractiveness or dishonor of an action.

  • The unhandsomeness of the betrayal was felt by all who witnessed it. (The act was morally ugly or base.)

• "Physical unhandsomeness": Often used in literary or formal contexts to describe ugliness.

  • The portrait captured the unhandsomeness of the subject with unflinching realism. (The subject's lack of physical beauty was depicted.)

Variants and Related Words

• Unhandsome (adj): Not handsome; ugly or ungenerous.

  • He was an unhandsome man with a sharp nose and narrow eyes. (Not attractive in appearance.)
  • Her unhandsome treatment of the servant was noted by all. (Not generous or kind.)

• Handsomeness (n): The quality of being handsome (attractive or generous).

  • His handsomeness was admired by everyone. (Physical attractiveness.)

Synonyms

• Ugliness: The state of being unpleasant in appearance.
• Stinginess: The quality of being unwilling to share or give.
• Meanness: The quality of being unkind or miserly.
• Plainness: Lack of beauty or ornamentation.

Related Idioms

• "A face that only a mother could love": A humorous way to describe physical unhandsomeness.

  • He had a face that only a mother could love — a classic case of unhandsomeness. (He was very ugly.)

• "All that glitters is not gold": While not directly related, this idiom reminds that external unhandsomeness may hide inner beauty, or vice versa.

  • Her unhandsomeness on the outside belied her generous heart. (She was physically unattractive but kind.)