Beautiful Inside and Out – Meaning, Origin and Usage
‘Beautiful inside and out’ is a common phrase among English native speakers, and I have the pleasure of telling you what it means.
In this article I will cover everything from what the phrase means, give you a little detail on the origin of the phrase, provide you with several examples of the phrase in use, and even provide you with some equally complementary alternative phrases as well.
Let’s get going!
What is the Meaning of the Phrase ‘‘Beautiful Inside and Out’?
When someone says the phrase ‘Beautiful inside and out’, it is a really nice compliment. They are saying that, not only is the person in question beautiful in appearance, but they are also beautiful on the inside as well.
But to be more specific here, when they refer to a person’s inside, they are not talking about their bones, blood, organs and muscle. They are talking about the person’s heart, soul and personality.
Don’t confuse the phrase ‘Beautiful inside and out’ with ‘Knowing something inside and out’, which simply refers to knowing something very well.
What is the Origin of the Phrase ‘Beautiful Inside and Out’?
The word ‘beauty’ is believed to have originated initially from the Latin word ‘Bellus’. There are many English phrases that refer to beauty, and ‘Beautiful inside and out’ is just one of them. ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ is another example.
The precise origin of the phrase ‘Beautiful inside and out’ remains unclear however. Although I can confirm that it has recorded uses in the English language dating back to the 1800s, when it was often featured in literature, including in novels and in poetry as well.
How You Can Use The Phrase ‘Beautiful Inside and Out’
People use the phrase ‘Beautiful inside and out’ as the ultimate compliment. They are simultaneously complementing both the person’s outer appearance, but also their heart and soul, and the kindness and love that they shine upon others.
The phrase is used most often to describe women and girls, but it is also a gender neutral phrase that you can use to apply to anyone who fits the description.
The weight of the words in the phrase is on the ‘inside’ part, pressing greater emphasis on the person’s personality, including how they make other people feel when they are around them.
You can also use the phrase to describe people who aren’t especially physically attractive, because the phrase emphasises inner qualities and virtues over a person’s outward appearance.
It’s the sort of phrase that you hear in wedding speeches, or when someone is introducing their spouse to another person or group of people. It’s a phrase that people love to hear themselves described as.
Here are some examples of the phrase in use:
- ‘This is my partner, Cheryl. She’s beautiful inside and out.’
- ‘Oh, you’re going to love Darren. He’s the life and soul of the party and he’s beautiful inside and out.’
- ‘I couldn’t be more proud to call you my wife. You’re beautiful inside and out.’
- ‘Let’s raise a toast to the bride – a beautiful lady inside and out.’
- ‘Oh, she has a heart of gold. Truly beautiful inside and out.’
- ‘What a lovely lady. She never puts herself first – beautiful inside and out.’
- ‘She couldn’t be more beautiful. Inside and out.’
- ‘She’s very kind and caring. Beautiful inside and out.’
- ‘I knew he’d be in good hands with you – you are beautiful inside and out.’
The phrase also crops up in other languages besides. To say ‘Beautiful inside and out’ in Italian, it’s ‘Bello dentro e fuori’, while in Arabic, it’s ‘jamil min alddakhil walkharij’.
What are some Other Things You Can Say In Place Of ‘Beautiful Inside and Out’?
If you don’t want to use the phrase ‘Beautiful inside and out’, there are many words and phrases that you can use in its place. Here are some examples for you:
- ‘What a lovely lady, so kind and considerate.’
- ‘Such a wonderful person – he has a heart of gold.’
- ‘I don’t know of a better person.’
- ‘Such a warm and loving person.’
- ‘What a gentleman!’
- ‘Beauty and brains.’
- ‘She has inner beauty too.’
- ‘He’s very handsome and kind.’
Final Thoughts
So, to sum up, the phrase ‘Beautiful inside out’ is used to describe someone who is even nicer in their heart and personality than their outward appearance.
The phrase has long standing origins, and is still in much use today. It’s one of those phrases that you may hear in multiple languages, and not just in English alone. There are many opportunities to use the phrase, and it’s considered a wonderful compliment. Similarly, there are lots of phrases that you could use in its place to avoid using the same compliment again and again.
