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What does it mean when a guy calls you cute vs beautiful?

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If a guy calls you cute instead of beautiful, you might be confused about exactly what he means.

On the surface, cute, beautiful, and sexy all sound like basically the same compliment. But guys actually mean very different things depending on the word they choose, and it can tell you a lot about what they’re thinking and feeling.

So what does a guy mean when he calls you cute and not beautiful, and does it even matter?

What a guy means when he calls you cute

When a guy calls you cute, he’s telling you that you have a natural, fresh, youthful, or innocent look. Cute is also often used to describe a girl’s personality, and it means you’re friendly and approachable.

Here are all the things a guy could mean when he calls you cute:

1. He thinks you look youthful and innocent

A guy might call you cute if you have a fresh and youthful appearance or a round face that makes you look young for your age. If you’re in your mid-20s and he calls you cute, you probably look like you’re still in high school.

Don’t worry – he doesn’t think you look like a child. He’s just saying you have a youthful appearance.

Innocent is another word that’s often used to describe cute girls. He might like that you have a wholesome and pure quality about you.

2. He likes your eyes and smile

Beautiful big eyes and a winning smile are often associated with cuteness. If a guy says you’re cute, there’s a good chance that your eyes and smile were the first things he noticed.

3. He thinks you’re a natural beauty

Cute is also another way of saying you have a fresh and natural beauty. He’s telling you that you don’t need a lot of makeup or fancy clothes to look good, and you look just as beautiful without all the extras.

4. He sees you as different from other girls

A guy who thinks you’re cute might also be attracted to your uniqueness. It might be the way you look, but he could also be referring to your style or personality. If you’re a little quirky or eccentric, he might think you’re cute because you stand out from all the other girls he knows.

5. He likes your imperfections

Sometimes it’s a girl’s imperfections that make her look cute. If you have a small mole on your cheek or a gap in your teeth, he might think it’s adorable. Guys often find imperfections like these to be endearing and attractive because they make you look more natural and down to earth.

6. He’s not just talking about your looks

When a guy calls you cute, he’s almost certainly thinking about more than just your physical appearance. He’s also taking into account your personality, which he probably finds just as attractive as your looks.

A cute personality generally means that he thinks you’re funny, sweet, and charming. He likes how you interact with other people, and he enjoys spending time around you. If you have a playful or bubbly personality, that’s probably one of the things he finds most appealing about you.

Related post: How to know if you’re attractive (25 clear signs)

7. He doesn’t want to be too sexual

Calling a girl cute has fewer sexual overtones than calling her sexy or beautiful. If a guy is attracted to you but doesn’t want to come on too strong, he might opt for the safer option of telling you that you’re cute.

It’s also a way of complimenting you without making you feel uncomfortable. Some women prefer not to be called sexy because they think it’s too forward or suggestive. Of course, he might think you’re sexy and cute, but calling you cute is an easy and low-key way of letting you know how he feels.

8. He’s nervous to say more

If a guy is feeling nervous or shy, calling you cute is an excellent way of letting you know he finds you attractive without making himself feel too exposed.

If he’s had a crush on you for a while, he might build up the courage to tell you by first calling you cute. If you don’t return his feelings, he can pretend that he was just trying to be friendly.

9. He doesn’t want to come on too strong

In some ways, calling you cute has lower emotional stakes than telling you you’re beautiful or sexy. If you’re just getting to know each other, or if he doesn’t know how you feel about him, calling you cute is a great way of flirting without coming on too strong.

He’s basically telling you that he likes what he sees, but he’s not trying to make any grand declarations about your relationship just yet.

Related post: How do you know a guy is into you? 50 clear signs

10. He thinks you’re down to earth & approachable

As I’ve already mentioned, cute refers to personality as well as appearance. In addition to your sweet and kind nature, he also thinks you’re easy to talk to and approachable. You don’t have an air of superiority or aloofness that would make him feel intimidated or nervous around you.

11. He thinks you’re girlfriend or wife material

Cute is also often guy code for girlfriend or wife material. He loves that you’re comfortable in your own skin and don’t take yourself too seriously. He can imagine himself having a long-term relationship with you, and he thinks you’d make a great partner.

12. He likes your casual style

Cute generally means that you have a casual and approachable look when it comes to personal style. You probably look great in anything, and you don’t need to try hard to look good.

Cute is also often used to describe a girl with a unique sense of style. He might love that you’re not afraid to stand out from the crowd and you dress in a way that expresses your personality.

What a guy means when he calls you beautiful

Using the word beautiful to describe you is a much more direct way of complimenting your physical appearance. He’s telling you that he thinks you’re stunning and that you take his breath away.

Calling a girl beautiful is also often used to express romantic feelings. When this happens, he’s using the word beautiful to describe your beautiful soul, and he’s probably madly in love with you.

Here’s everything it means when a guy calls you beautiful.

1. He thinks you look classically beautiful

When a guy calls you beautiful, he might be referring to the fact that you look more classically beautiful rather than cute.

Classically beautiful means that you probably look more like a runway model. You’re slimmer, have sharper, more well-defined facial features than a cute girl, long legs, and a long elegant neck.

Of course, you don’t need to have these physical features to be beautiful. Everyone has their preferences, and a guy might think you embody all the qualities that he finds attractive.

2. He’s trying to be romantic

Guys will often use the word beautiful when they want to express love or romantic feelings for a girl. Beautiful is the perfect word because it’s stronger than cute and not as overtly sexual as sexy.

When he calls you beautiful, he’s referring to your inner beauty and your outer beauty. He loves your personality and how you make him feel when he’s around you. He’s telling you that he cares deeply about you and thinks you’re an amazing person inside and out.

3. He thinks you have a refined style

In addition to your appearance and personality, he might also be complimenting your sense of style and the way you carry yourself.

He might love that you dress in a more refined and sophisticated style than most girls he knows. Or perhaps he’s attracted to the way you always seem put together and look elegant even in the simplest of outfits.

4. He’s not being overly sexual

When a man calls you beautiful, he often won’t mean it in an overtly sexual way. In other words, he may not be thinking about what you look like naked when he says it.

Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s not interested in sleeping with you. He just appreciates your beauty and personality in a more innocent and romantic way. He cares about you as a person, and he’s attracted to you on a deeper level than just physical attraction.

5. He may or may not be trying to flirt with you

When a guy calls you beautiful, it can sometimes be difficult to tell whether he’s trying to flirt with you or not.

If he calls you sexy, it’s pretty obvious that he’s interested in you in a sexual way. But when he calls you beautiful, it could just be a genuine compliment with no ulterior motives.

If you’re not sure whether he’s flirting with you or not, pay attention to his body language and the tone of his voice. If he’s leaning in close to you, making eye contact, and smiling, he’s probably flirting with you.

What a guy means when he calls you sexy

When a guy calls you sexy, he’s definitely interested in you in a sexual way. He finds you physically attractive, and he wants to sleep with you. Sexy is also often used by guys to describe a confident girl with a strong sense of self.

Here’s what it means when a guy calls you sexy.

1. He wants to have sex with you

When a guy calls you sexy, he’s making it clear that he thinks you’re smoking hot and wants to sleep with you. The whole time he’s looking at you, he’s wondering what you look like naked, and he’s hoping to have the chance to find out.

2. He loves your confident attitude

If you carry yourself with confidence and exude self-assurance, guys will think you’re incredibly sexy.

A confident woman knows her worth and doesn’t take any crap from anyone. She goes after what she wants and doesn’t take no for an answer. She’s also comfortable in her own skin and knows how to have a good time.

In other words, she’s the complete opposite of a needy and clingy girl. And that’s exactly the kind of woman men are attracted to.

3. He loves your curves

Sexy often describes a woman with curves in all the right places. If you’re a little bit on the curvier side, he might find that incredibly sexy. He loves your feminine figure, and he finds you absolutely irresistible.

4. He finds you mysterious

When a guy calls you sexy, he might also find you a little bit mysterious. He knows there’s more to you than meets the eye, and he can’t wait to find out all your secrets. This mystery is part of what makes you so sexy to him.

5. He loves your passion

Another quality that men find sexy in a woman is passion. When you’re passionate about something, it’s clear that you’re alive and full of energy. This is incredibly attractive to men, and it’s one of the things that makes you so sexy to him.

6. He loves the way you dress

If you dress in a more revealing or suggestive way, he’s definitely going to find you sexy. I’m not talking about dressing like a stripper – just accentuating your best features in a way that he can’t ignore.

Of course, you don’t need to dress in a certain way to be considered sexy. You can be wearing a t-shirt and jeans, and he might still think you’re the sexiest girl in the room.

FAQ

Do guys prefer cute or hot girls?

Some guys may find cute girls more attractive, while others may find hot girls more appealing. Ultimately, it depends on what each guy is looking for in a girl.

Having said that, if a guy calls you cute, he might be saying that he considers you the kind of girl he wants to have a serious relationship with. On the other hand, if he calls you hot or sexy, he’s probably more interested in you sexually.

Is cute really a compliment?

Cute might not be the most romantic word in the world, but it is definitely a compliment. When a guy calls you cute, he’s trying to tell you you’re attractive in a more low-key way. He thinks you’re sweet, and he likes your personality. Cute is often how guys describe girls they’re interested in dating.

Does cute mean sexually attractive?

It definitely can, but it’s not always the case. When a guy calls you cute, he might just find you charming and endearing, and it’s often used as a more innocent way of saying you’re attractive.

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