Meaning of handsome is as handsome does | Babel Free

Definitions

A person's good actions, rather than outward appeal, define his or her handsomeness in the eyes of others.

Examples

“Miss⟳ Trotwood, or Miss⟳ Betsey, as my poor mother always called her, when she sufficiently overcame her dread of this formidable personage to mention⟳ her at all (which was seldom), had been married to a husband younger than herself, who was very handsome, except in the sense⟳ of the homely adage, ‘handsome is, that handsome does’ - for he was strongly suspected of having beaten Miss⟳ Betsey, and even of having once, on a disputed question⟳ of supplies, made some hasty but determined arrangements to throw⟳ her out of a two pair of stairs’ window.”

CEFR level