DictionaryAI

cute

adjective
KYOOT/kjuːt/

Formscuter, cutest

6 meanings of cute

Practice

  1. 1
    charming (things)adjective
    Sweet and charming in how it looks or acts, like a baby animal or a funny little habit.

    What a cute little coffee shop! I love the tiny tables.

    She wore a cute dress with yellow flowers on it.

    UsageOften so cute or a cute little thing.

    Similaradorable, sweet, charming, endearing, lovely

  2. 2
    good-lookingadjective
    Good-looking in a way that draws romantic interest.

    My sister thinks the new guy at work is really cute.

    He asked the cute girl from his class to the dance.

    UsageMore casual than handsome or beautiful.

    Similarattractive, gorgeous, good-looking, hot

    Oppositeunattractive, ugly, plain

  3. 3
    adjective
    Trying too hard to be charming or clever, in a way that annoys people.

    Their wedding invitations were a little too cute, with rhyming poems on every page.

    He signs every email with a cute little joke that got old fast.

    UsageUsually too cute: trying too hard.

    Similarprecious, twee, contrived, arch

    Oppositesincere, unaffected

    Note
  4. 4
    clever trickadjective
    Clever and pleasing in a surprising way, but not very important.

    Our teacher showed us a cute trick for multiplying by eleven.

    The puzzle has a cute answer that you can find without any hard math.

    UsageSay a cute trick or a cute answer: clever but small.

    Similarneat, clever, elegant, ingenious

    Oppositeclumsy, inelegant

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    shrewdadjective
    Smart and quick to notice or understand things.

    The detective was too cute to fall for their story.

    The old farmer was cute enough to spot the trick in the deal.

    UsageSay too cute to be tricked.

    Similarclever, shrewd

    Oppositenaive, dim, obtuse

    Note
  2. 6
    adjectivecolloquial
    Trying to sound smart in a rude way, or to avoid a straight answer, especially when talking back.

    When Mom asked who broke the lamp, my brother got cute and said it broke itself.

    Don't get cute with me. Just tell me where you were last night.

    UsagePeople say Don't get cute with me.

    Similarsmart, clever, cheeky, flippant

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of cute apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

"Cute" is a short form of "acute." It first meant "clever or sharp" (recorded by 1730). Around 1834 US students used it to mean "pretty," and later it came to mean attractive in a young, charming way.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 4 facts