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Meaning & use

cute

adjective·Everydayinformal

Last updated

UK/kjuːt/
US/kjuːt/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparableinformal

    Attractive in a charming, sweet, or endearing way, especially because something is small, young, or delicate.

    Grammar: Common before nouns and after linking verbs; often intensified with really or so in speech.

    Patterns

    • a cute baby/puppy/outfit
    • look/sound cute
    • cute little...

    The puppy was so cute that everyone wanted to hold it.

    She wore a cute little hat to the picnic.

    Your daughter looks really cute in that photo.

  2. adjectivecomparableinformal

    Physically attractive or good-looking, especially in a youthful or appealing way.

    Grammar: Describes adults informally; attractive is the safer, neutral choice in formal writing.

    Patterns

    • a cute guy/girl
    • cute smile

    Her new coworker is really cute.

    He gave the waitress a cute smile.

  3. adjectivenot comparableinformaldisapproving

    Too clever or contrived in a way that is annoying or not to be trusted.

    Grammar: A disapproving use, common in phrases like a cute trick or don't get cute.

    Patterns

    • a cute trick
    • don't get cute
    • a cute answer

    Don't get cute with me; just answer the question.

    Hiding the fee in the small print was a cute trick.

    The salesman's cute answers did not convince anyone.

Word forms

comparativecuter
superlativecutest

Common combinations

a cute puppy/baby
The advertisement featured a cute puppy asleep in a shoe.
look cute
The children looked cute in their matching coats.
a cute smile/outfit
She flashed a cute smile for the camera.
a cute trick
Charging extra for carry-on luggage was a cute trick by the airline.

Synonyms and how they differ

adorable
Adorable is stronger than cute and means so lovable it inspires affection; cute is lighter and can be merely pretty.
charming
Charming suggests pleasant, attractive manners or qualities rather than smallness or delicacy.
pretty
Pretty describes gentle, pleasing looks, often of girls and women or things; cute adds a sweet or endearing quality.
lovely
Lovely is broader and British-leaning, covering beauty, kindness, or enjoyment, not just endearing appearance.

Opposites

uglyunattractiveplain

Word family

cutely adverb
in a cute or endearing way.
cuteness noun
the quality of being cute.
cutesy adjective
too sweet or precious in a way that many find annoying (disapproving).

Commonly confused: cute or acute?

cute vs acute

Acute means sharp, severe, or perceptive, as in acute pain or acute intelligence; it differs from cute only by the letter a.

Practice

Choose the best use of “cute.”

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