Definition
Good-looking is an adjective used to describe a person who is physically attractive or pleasing in appearance. It often implies a positive, appealing look without specifying gender, making it versatile in everyday language.
Alternative Forms
- goodlooking (without hyphen)
- good looking (two words)
Etymology
The word originates from combining “good” (meaning positive or pleasing) and “looking” (referring to appearance). It has parallels in other languages, such as Dutch goeduitziend and German gutaussehend, both meaning “good-looking.”
Pronunciation and Stress
Pronounced as /ˈɡʊd ˈlʊk.ɪŋ/ in IPA. The primary stress falls on the first syllable of “good” and the first syllable of “looking,” giving it a rhythmic flow: GOOD-LOOK-ing. Listen to native speakers to capture the natural British or American accent variations.
Morphology and Grammar Notes
As a compound adjective, “good-looking” is formed by hyphenating two words to create a single descriptive term. It functions as a predicate or attributive adjective before nouns (e.g., a good-looking actor). Comparatives include “better-looking” or “more good-looking”; superlatives are “best-looking” or “most good-looking.” Note that the hyphen is essential in standard English to avoid confusion.
Interesting Facts
This term gained popularity in English during the 19th century as society emphasized visual appeal in literature and media. Interestingly, it’s more neutral than gendered terms like “handsome” for men or “beautiful” for women, promoting inclusivity in modern usage.
Tips for Learning
To memorize “good-looking,” associate it with celebrities or photos of attractive people—visualize someone “good” in their “looks.” Practice by describing friends or characters from movies. Break it down: “good” for positive, “looking” for appearance.
Cultural and Contextual Features
In Western cultures, “good-looking” is common in compliments, dating apps, and fashion media, reflecting values of physical attractiveness. Contextually, it’s polite and less intense than slang like “hot,” suitable for professional or casual settings. In global English, it adapts to diverse beauty standards, from Hollywood ideals to K-pop influences.
Examples
- Simple: She is good-looking.
- Medium: The good-looking waiter served us dinner quickly.
- Complex: Although he wasn’t the most talented musician in the band, his good-looking appearance and charismatic smile drew crowds to every performance.
Synonyms, Antonyms, and Common Combinations
Synonyms: attractive, beautiful, handsome, pretty, striking.
Antonyms: ugly, unattractive, plain, homely.
Common Combinations: good-looking man/woman/couple, look good-looking (in outfits), surprisingly good-looking.
Mini-Tasks
- Make a sentence: Describe a celebrity using “good-looking.”
- Find a synonym: Replace “good-looking” in “He has a good-looking smile” with another word.
- Antonym practice: Write a sentence contrasting “good-looking” with “unattractive.”
- Collocation challenge: Pair “good-looking” with three nouns (e.g., actor, car, dress) and explain why they fit or don’t.