Forums » Smalltalk » Types of attractiveness - what's the difference?

In terms of both personality and appearance, what are the differences between cute, sexy, and pretty/handsome?

This is a question I have asked a lot yet haven't received many answers to. I'm not sure why people aren't as interested in this subject as I am. I suppose it's a difficult question to answer. Still, since I love art and my all time favorite thing to draw is people, this topic really interests me. I want to know why some people are considered cute while others are sexy and I want to know how much personality and appearance determine those things. Of course I know this is based on preference so the answers will vary from person to person, but that's the most interesting part!

Hopefully you guys will humor me and give me some responses!

The trouble is that it varies from person to person. Some see them as different things, some see them as all the same. Most often, context matters. Like, someone might call a person they find sexy, "cute," but will only use the latter and with a different meaning when applying the word to a child or small animal.

There is no consistent difference.

Sexy: Has qualities that induce a sexual response.
Cute: Usually something that induces a 'protective' response.
Pretty: Appealing appearance.
Handsome: Appealing appearance but more masculine.


That's how I've always viewed it.

I'll humor you! I love questions that require a lot of thought.

Pretty - I think that mostly refers to someone's face. Symmetrical faces have been found in research to be viewed as more attractive but that can vary will preference. A large, beautiful smile, to me, is one of the main features that makes a girl pretty, as does attractive eyes, clean, shiny hair (long or short depends on preference), smooth skin or freckled skin depending on preference also. I would say those are the basic things I think of when I call a girl pretty. And I want to add, that it doesn't take all of these features for someone to be pretty. Many people can have even just one, and seem incredibly pretty. Like, a pretty smile can make everything seem pretty, if that makes sense. Also a certain attitude and personality can make someone pretty, I don't know how it works, but I've seen it happen...you get to know someone and someone who seemed average is so beautiful. It's like their eyes sparkle more, their smile sparkles more. You see compassion in their eyes, humor...and it's pretty to you.


I think the word "pretty" mainly about the face because you hear people say "pretty face," but who says, "pretty body?" I've never heard that. The word pretty imlies a feminine quality, or at least, a polished quality, in my opinion.

Cute - I think this term is applied to both makes and females to indicate attractiveness or desirability and can be applied to both the face and the body. For example, you would hear someone say, "he has a cute butt" but you wouldn't hear someone say "he has a pretty butt."

I think there's a personality component to cute too. A person can be cute because they act in a playful way or even a nervous or awkward way...any way that makes them seem young-at-heart and sweet.

Sexy - I think sexy has more to do with the whole body, including the face. I think it can be applied to males or females and I think the definition of "sexy" is that the person has features that would make many people, under normal circumstances, want to have sex with them. Or, at least, make them think about sex.

For example, a shirt that shows a woman's cleavage might be considered "sexy." A tight dress that shows the curve of a woman's body also might be called "sexy." Other typically sexy things might be long legs or wide hips. But this varied widely WI preference. However, interestingly, eyes and lips can be sexy (and also pretty). Eyes that have that "bedroom eyes" expression, and smiles that have a certain smirk or certain lip gloss might be called sexy. Also certain eye makeup can make eyes look sexy (the smokey look, for instance, in my opinion). Some people find full lips sexy (like Angelina Jolie's). I don't, I'm neutral towards lips.

For men, some women find men's necks sexy, muscles, height, eyes, lips, and hair. There's some overlap with handsome here. I think "handsome = pretty" but for men. It refers to an attractive masculine face but can also be used about the whole package, like the word pretty can.

But you have terms like "handsome face" while you DONT have terms like "handome biceps" or "handome neck." However, you could say "sexy neck" or "sexy biceps," I think. Handome refers to how men dress too. When a man is in a suit, they might more readily be called "handsome." Handsome implies masculinity now a days and personality traits that match that quality (facial hair, chest hair, tallness, broad shoulders, physical strength) might make a man seem more handsome, but a lot of that is down to preference too.

That's my take on it!

For me personally, this is what I think of when I hear these words.

A cute person has a loving and caring personality. They can be giggly, bubbly, positive, cheerful, excited. They're rather small in appearance and have a bit of chub or they have big doe eyes and a sweet smile. Their behavior and general way of portraying themselves makes you want to pick them up and cuddle them.

A sexy person is someone that is confident and determined, someone that can speak with their gaze and eyes and that fights for what they believe in. In terms of appearance it's someone that doesn't try to hide their body by using excessive items of clothing or baggy clothing but someone that dresses in a way that flatters their bodytype and wears clothing they feel confident in, whether that's a nice jeans or a sophisticated dress.

A pretty person is a person with a beautiful heart that brightens your day when they walk in the room. Their appearance makes you feel happier instantly. They bring beauty into the world by being themselves and showing that beauty exists in a natural way and without too much effort.

A handsome person is a masculine person that shows either their nonchalance and calmness or their "know-how", their way to handle the things that come to them. They don't have to be muscled but they have a manner that portrays dominance over a situation in a respectful way.

I hope this was helpful ^w^

What I just consider for these is a bit more broader I'll give you to more complex version.

Sexy: Suggests that they're willing to date or trying to appeal to their loved one/s.

Cute: Pretty in a childish or nice way.

Pretty: Appealing on the outside, referring mostly to a female or an object.

Handsome: Pretty but usually referring to make instead.

That was as short as I could make it. There you go!

The way I think of it is..

Cute: Baby animals, youth, something you want to protect
Sexy: Chris Hemsworth, Marilyn Monroe, something with "sex appeal"
Pretty/beautiful/handsome: Nature, models, "tasteful" nudity