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cute

cute

170 3.1
Trying to be charming in a way that feels false
  • adjective
  • /kjuːt/
translation icon : afectado
  • "You and I were doing fine until your sister thought it was cute to play that awful trick on me."

No, I really thought I was about to be cute today.

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Examples

  • She wore a cute dress with colorful flowers that made her look cheerful.

  • The puppy wagged its tail and looked up at me with a cute expression.

  • But he kind of knew how she felt, and he was being cute about it.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Her glasses are back on her nose and nothing about her expression looks cute anymore.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • You're cute when you get angry.

  • Linda, don't try to be cute, not tonight.

  • Now that she is 19, Selena is ready to make the transition from cute child star to glamorous leading lady.

    Academic text (2011)
  • It is so cute, Like it's the cutest little love story I've ever read in my life.

  • "In fact, you're better off not knowing." "I think you're decidedly a very cute person," Melinda said.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The cute child's laughter filled the room with joy.

Synonyms

precious
vscute
47 7.6

Too neat or cute in a way that seems fake

is more about deliberate charm that can seem insincere
cutesy
vscute
  • Informal
16 7.2

To try to seem very sweet and childish in a fake way

is similar but emphasizes deliberate design to appeal
chicky
vscute
  • Informal
2 9.3

Slightly silly, cute style often like that of young women

is more about calculated artificial charm rather than playful informality
cutesy-wootsy
vscute
  • Informal
1 9.9

Being too cute and childish in a sweet, exaggerated way

is less childish and more about intentional appeal
cutesy-poo
vscute
  • Informal
9.4

Too cute in a silly or fake way

is more about deliberate charm than genuine feeling

Antonyms

156 3.2

Truly felt and not fake, for example a smile or apology

2 4.8

Natural and sincere, without pretending

Compounds

cute outfit
  • Informal
3 1.0

A set of clothes that looks nice and stylish

cute chungus
  • Slang
9.9

A round, chubby character often seen in internet pictures and memes

How Affected

saccharine
5 7.9
cutesy
  • Informal
16 7.2
cute
170 3.1
affected
7.5
mannered
47 7.9

Surface Forms

cute positive
cuter comparative
cutest superlative

Etymology

Cute can also mean 'insincerely charming' because it kept some of the old sense from acute of being a little too 'clever' or showy; that's why a gesture that seems planned or fake can be called 'cute'.