Is being called "cute" different to being called "pretty" and 'beautiful"?

[Anonymous]

First off.. Im an average girl
Im abit overweight but recently been hitting the gym 4 days a week now
On the other hand, my boyfriend is a fit guy
He goes to gym 6 days a week

Anyways so i was telling him how I was working out near the boys because the gym was quite packed esp the weights area
I had to do dumbbells training
And I told my boyfriend that 3 of those boys were talking and when I came near, they stopped talking and looked at me
And i see few other guys looking at me
And then my boyfriend responded:
"Babe, dont get a big head or anything but you have a really cute innocent face. Some guys like that. And you have sexy lips"

Wtf?
Is being called "cute" different to being called "pretty" and "beautiful"?
He didn't say I have a pretty or beautiful face
I feel like "cute" is for kids

Yes

No

[ak667]

For me "yes", and I think there's some truth to the idea of "cute" looking like a child, but not exclusively. There's apparently an evolutionary preference in humans for female mates with neotenous features. That means juvenile features *on top* of adult features (big eyes, e. g.).

The juvenile features tend to evoke a certain kind of emotion like, "aww", as you might have for a puppy dog. But they also tend to emote their emotions in ways that we empathize more, like a cute person crying might have more of an impact on us than someone who isn't cute, a kitten suffering might have more of an impact on us than an insect.

And it's not a bad quality, because it draws out that empathetic side of human beings. "Hot", in contrast, tends to be used by one with more of a raw sexual desire, e. g.

"Pretty" is actually my favorite word to use to describe a female that is attractive to me. "Beautiful" might be like super eye-catching, but I've always liked "pretty" better because it's a bit more subtle, like you have to pay some attention to a girl to realize how attractive she is.

[ak667]

My friend who is a bartender loves the "cute" ones. If you get called "cute" by him, it is the ultimate compliment. And he's a romantic. He likes girls with his heart, not his dick, put crudely.

I'm more into "hot", like "nice ass". And our tastes are very different. But I'm not so noble. I tend to like girls dick first, heart later.

[ak667]

I feel like that applies to men as well. Like I dated a girl before who loved Ewan McGregor, especially from Trainspotting:
i.pinimg.com/.../...e6d0ede667d87998d6--actors.jpg

And I'm hetero but Ewan McGregor might be one of the "cutest" guys I've ever seen, especially at that age. It's like, "Aww, woooobie-woobie woo! Ewan McGregor want a treat? Who wants a treat?" And she was like in love with him. So I think it comes from a more empathetic side when girls like a "cute" guy.

Meanwhile I think the guys who are on the "hot" side of the spectrum whether it's like a Vin Diesel or a Hugh Jackman or a Daniel Craig or I don't know what girls like there, probably have more of a raw primitive sexual desire.

[ak667]

I see the dichotomy that way, between "cute" and "hot", with cute drawing more to youthful appeal and empathy, and "hot" drawing more to adult features that trigger sexual desire. "Pretty" and "beautiful" can be all over the place in terms of that spectrum.

[ak667]

Like "aww, don't cry Ewan McGregor. You are breaking my heart!" then if he starts smiling with that "cute" and "boyish" face, it's like, "OMG, I'm going to cry happy tears now." So the cute ones potentially help us empathize more. An attraction towards the cuter side of the spectrum implies empathy in my opinion, whereas the hotter side implies more sexual appeal in my opinion.

[4pple]

Yes, I'm not sure how to describe it, but with some women there's always one word that fits more than others. It's rather subconcious which I feel fits more, but cute is generally the adorable clutesy type, who's a bit silly and small, a bit childish, but all of it in a positive way

[Anonymous]

I, too, think that 'cute' is for kids, but it could also be for grown-ups in a sense that the girl is not fuckable.

[MrOracle]

"Pretty" means "physically attractive"

"Beautiful" means "physically attractive, but often in a slightly more serious or profound way.

"Cute" means "physically attractive, but with a bit of youth or innocence thrown in the mix."

Obviously not every person on the planet follows these definitions exactly, but most people do.

[winterfox10]

It's definitely different, but that's not a bad thing! Cute basically means that she's appealing, but that she doesn't ignite a feeling of instant lust (sexy requires a level of confidence and seriousness that many girls just can't do). A cute and innocent face means that you have a "girl-next-door" way about you. The fact he said you have sexy lips means that even though you look like you could do no wrong, your mouth seems like a good place to start teaching you how to sin.

[JellyDonutguy96]

yes pretty is more pleasing to the eye
and beautiful is flawless or absolutely stunning, it captures your attention

cute is mainly for charm or interest

[Browneye57]

All the same. The guys just want to get in your knickers, and your boyfriend knows this. What is worrisome is that you don't.

[Tohhhru]

Sometimes they're just compliments not to over think about they can be interchangeable

[victorvolf]

Cute is more endearing.

[PM_ME_PUPPIES]

It is different but you can still be all 3.