formōsus
The Latin word for handsome is formōsus. Wiktionary also lists pulcher and scitulus.
Meaning: of man: attractive (adj)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| formōsus | |
| pulcher | [ˈpʊɫ.kʰɛr] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈpul.ker] (narrow) |
| scitulus | [ˈskiː.tʊ.ɫʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈʃiː.tu.lus] (narrow) |
These words describe good looks, and are often used for men. vir pulcher means "a handsome man".
Which one should you use?
While pulcher is a general term for 'beautiful' or 'handsome', formōsus specifically emphasizes having a pleasing or well-proportioned physical shape.
How does it change in a sentence?
The superlative form of pulcher, used to mean 'most handsome' or 'very handsome', is pulcherrimus.
Did you know?
- Roman writers often used pulcher in a moral sense to describe a 'noble' or 'honorable' person, not just someone with a pretty face.
- The word pulcher is a relative of the English word 'pulchritude', which is a formal term for physical beauty.
Examples in context
- Tu es vir pulcherrimus.You're a very handsome man.This sentence demonstrates how to use the superlative form of pulcher to describe a man.Tatoeba #6935632 by CarpeLanam, translation #2045793 by CK
- Didymus valde pulcher est.Tom is very handsome.This sentence shows how to use pulcher to describe a person's handsomeness.Tatoeba #5031697 by alexmarcelo, translation #1024770 by CK
- Nasus autem ejus pulcher non est.But his nose isn't handsome.This sentence shows how to use pulcher in a negative context regarding a physical feature.Tatoeba #5999273 by sicerabibax, translation #12945739 by rul
- Vir pulcherA handsome man
- Hic puer pulchellus estThis boy is handsome
- Hic puer speciosus est et amabilis.This boy is good-looking and charming.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Claudia and Lucius are discussing a new acquaintance.
- ClaudiaVidesne, Luci, hunc novum amicum?Do you see this new friend, Lucius?
- LuciusIta, video eum. Estne formōsus?Yes, I see him. Is he handsome?
- ClaudiaIta, vir est valde formōsus.Yes, he is a very handsome man.
- LuciusOptime, eum convenire volo.Great, I want to meet him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “handsome” translations and entries pulcher, scitulus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pulcher, scitulus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
