cute

American  

[kyoot] / kyut /

adjective

cuter, cutest

1. attractive, especially in a dainty way; pleasingly pretty.

   a cute child; a cute little apartment.

2. appealing and delightful; charming.

   What a cute toy!

3. affectedly or mincingly pretty or clever; precious.

   The child has acquired some intolerably cute mannerisms.

4. mentally keen; clever; shrewd.

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noun

1. Informal. the cutes, self-consciously cute mannerisms or appeal; affected coyness.

   The young actress has a bad case of the cutes.

idioms

1. meet cute,

   1. (of a romantic couple) to meet for the first time in a charming or amusing way.

      In this type of movie the boy and girl always meet cute.

   2. Also meet-cute a situation or occasion when potential romantic partners meet for the first time in a charming or amusing way.

      a classic Hollywood meet cute; his meet-cute with Jane in the bookstore.

cute British  

/ kjuːt /

adjective

1. appealing or attractive, esp in a pretty way

2. informal sexually attractive

3. informal affecting cleverness or prettiness

4. clever; shrewd

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Other Word Forms

• cutely adverb
• cuteness noun

Etymology

Origin of cute

First recorded in 1615–25; aphetic variant of acute

Example Sentences

Bea becomes entangled with a cute waiter at the remote region’s bar and grill.

From The Wall Street Journal

"It's really nostalgic and cute. Like some 2000s cute aesthetic," she said, admitting that some people her age "just don't like it or think it's childish".

From Barron's

I thought Alex was pretty cute in his light maroon jacket — the kind that’s perfect for those May gray evenings and one that highlighted his wispy blond hair.

From Los Angeles Times

It was so cute, so wholesome — a perfect way to end it.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s like “6,7,” if it wore a helmet and was more cute than irritating.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• adorable
• beautiful
• charming
• delightful
• pleasant
• pretty