Who does not like to receive a compliment? Everyone gets happier when receiving a true compliment, but sometimes we don’t understand what it meant. After all, what is the difference between cute and pretty, anyway? Is there any?

As a matter of fact, there is! But the difference is related to perception. We see some things as cute, and some as pretty. For example, we think that a little puppy is cute, not pretty, right?

This can be a little hard to understand since it is connected to subjective things, But don’t worry, you will understand the difference between cute and pretty. To do that, you just need to keep reading this article!

The Real Difference Between Cute And Pretty

First, I need to explain that these terms may have different interpretations depending on the person that is saying them. Some people don’t think that cute is a compliment, since they think that cute is another way of saying that someone is not pretty enough. I particularly don’t agree with that.

Overall, cute is a term that generally targets something young. A child, a puppy, a child’s toy, some game with childish characteristics, etc. But that is not a rule, of course. Society, in general, sees cute as a term for things that are young or remember the youth, especially childhood.

Cute is not only about the looks. Anything can be cute in someone’s eyes. For example, some people think that playing with kids is a cute thing to do. There are some people that think that smiling with your eyes closed is something cute. Some people describe clothes, objects in general, actions, dances, jokes, voices, all of that, and more as cute.

People usually associate cute with something small, innocent, kind, sweet, and easy to like. If someone thinks that you are cute, maybe you have one (or all) of these characteristics.

Also, some people associate purity and simplicity with cuteness. Some synonyms of cute include: adorable, lovable, delightful, lovely, endearing, sweet, enchanting, charming, appealing, winsome.

Pretty, however, is a word more related to the physical appearance of a living being, especially female humans or people that identify themselves are women. You can call anyone pretty, obviously, but usually, most people use this term to compliment women.

Extra Differences

Commonly, you call someone pretty because that person has an appearance that delights you, but you can also call someone pretty if you feel attracted to their inner characteristics. As I’ve said before, both terms are very subjective, so everyone sees them in different ways.

Every country has different meanings for them as well.

Sometimes the changes will be bigger, sometimes not, but they will be at least a little bit different. Pretty can also mean fairly, which is a word that can be used as an adverb. In that case, it will mean “to a moderately high degree”.

An example is the phrase “he looked pretty fit for his age”.

When used as an adjective, pretty means that someone is attractive in a delicate way. A pretty person is not a truly beautiful or handsome person, but it is still very attractive, or just beautiful in a different way. Again, I must say that everyone thinks about such subjective things as beauty and appearance in different ways.

Remember that everyone is pretty in their own way and that everyone is different. You may not like someone’s physical appearance, but that’s not a reason for you to bully that person.

Cute Vs Pretty: Comparison Chart

Difference Between Cute, Pretty, And Beautiful

Again, I will repeat myself to say that everyone sees these terms in different ways. Overall, cute is used for young people or living beings and it represents kindness, sweetness.

Some people describe innocent as cute. You can also use this term to complement more than someone’s physical appearance. It can be used to compliment someone’s actions, intentions, etc. It also can be used for objects and things, such as video games, décor.

Pretty is someone – usually, a woman – that is attractive in a delicate way, but not truly handsome or beautiful. This term is more connected to one’s physical appearance. Some people may use this term to complement inner beauty as well. For example, if someone believes that the beliefs that you have are nice, they may say that you are a pretty person inside.

Beautiful is used for people that please the senses or mind aesthetically. It can be used for things as well. Who never walked into a garden and thought “Oh, this is beautiful”?

You can also use beautiful to compliment someone’s inner beauty. Overall, something or someone beautiful means that something or someone has beauty. This word also is more used to compliment women, but in the old days, it was used to compliment anyone.

Nowadays, people commonly use “handsome” to describe a beautiful man.

Do Guys Prefer Cute Or Pretty?

It is really up to how the guy feels about beauty. Some guys think that the most important thing is that someone is cute, and some guys think that being pretty is the most important.

It will depend on their personalities, and what they enjoy.