cute
cute
Pronunciation
/kjuːt/.
cute /kjuːt/
/k/: voiceless velar stop
/j/: voiced palatal approximant
/uː/: close back rounded vowel (long)
/t/: voiceless alveolar stop
Word Form Variations
Adjective:
Positive: cute (e.g., "That's a cute puppy.")
Comparative: cuter (e.g., "My puppy is cuter than yours.")
Superlative: cutest (e.g., "She has the cutest smile.")
Noun:
Cuteness: This is the noun form, referring to the quality or state of being cute. (e.g., "The cuteness of the kitten was overwhelming.")
Adverb:
Cutely: This adverb describes something done in a cute manner. (e.g., "The child smiled cutely.")
Verb:
While "cute" is not typically used as a verb, a less common, informal verb form exists:
Cutify: (informal) To make something cute. (e.g., "She tried to cutify her drawing.")
Conjugations would follow regular verb patterns: cutifies, cutified, cutifying.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition: Possessing an appealing or attractive quality, often associated with a charming, endearing, or delicate appearance, especially in reference to children, animals, or small objects. This appeal often evokes feelings of warmth, affection, or protective tenderness.
Synonyms: adorable, charming, lovable, endearing, fetching, winsome, dainty, sweet, pretty (in a delicate way)
Antonyms: ugly, repulsive, unappealing, unattractive, hideous, ghastly
Definition: (Informal) Displaying cleverness or ingenuity in a playful, subtle, or sometimes slightly mischievous way; often used to describe a witty remark, a clever idea, or an artful solution.
Synonyms: clever, astute, ingenious, witty, sharp, shrewd, cunning (in a mild, non-negative sense), smart
Antonyms: dull, uninspired, obvious, clumsy, foolish, artless, straightforward
Definition: (Informal, often sarcastic) Behaving in a presumptuous, annoying, or overly familiar manner, sometimes implying a lack of genuine effort or a patronizing attitude.
Synonyms: presumptuous, cheeky, sassy, flippant, impertinent, annoying, irritating, smarmy
Antonyms: respectful, humble, earnest, genuine, sincere, modest
Noun
Cuteness:
Definition: The inherent quality or state of being cute; the characteristic that evokes feelings of affection, endearment, or pleasant appeal.
Synonyms: adorableness, charm, loveliness, winsomeness, appeal, preciousness
Antonyms: ugliness, repulsiveness, unattractiveness, hideousness
Adverb
Cutely:
Definition: In a cute manner; performing an action or expressing oneself with charm, endearing appeal, or playful cleverness.
Synonyms: adorably, charmingly, endearingly, sweetly, daintily, prettily, cleverly, wittily, artfully
Antonyms: unattractively, repulsively, clumsily, dully, foolishly, obviously
Verb (Informal/Slang)
Cutify: (Less common, informal)
Definition: To make something appear or become cute; to add elements that enhance its appeal or make it more endearing.
Synonyms: adorn, embellish, prettify, sweeten (in terms of appearance), soften, make adorable
Antonyms: uglify, disfigure, deface, mar, detract from appeal
Examples of Use
In Books:
Adjective (Charming/Appealing): "He had that slightly disheveled charm that some women found irresistible, a sort of cute vulnerability that belied his true ambition." (Original example, common in romance or character descriptions)
Noun (Meet-cute): "The novel opened with a classic meet-cute: she spilled coffee all over him in a crowded bookstore, and their eyes locked over the steaming mess." (DabbleWriter.com, "How to Meet Cute: Ideas for Your Romance Novel")
Adjective (Clever/Ingenious): "Her younger brother, always the schemer, came up with a rather cute way to trick their parents into letting him stay up later." (Original example, often used to describe playful trickery)
In Newspapers:
Adjective (Adorable/Endearing): "A recent article highlighted the zoo's new baby giraffe, describing it as 'unquestionably cute, with its wobbly legs and long eyelashes.'" (Based on common newspaper animal features)
Adjective (Sarcastic/Dismissive): "Isn't it adorable that Flynn, who worked for a United Nations klatch of clients now insists on a legal defense entirely made in America?" (Language Log, "Politically adorable" – This highlights the sarcastic usage where "adorable" is used to imply someone is "small, childish, and unworthy of attention.")
In Online Publications:
Adjective (Charming/Appealing - broadly): "The article featured a gallery of '20 Cute Home Decor Ideas for Small Spaces,' showcasing clever storage solutions and cozy aesthetics." (Common in lifestyle or home design blogs)
Adjective (Relating to 'Kawaii' culture): "Japan's 'Kawaii' culture, embodying anything cute, playful, or adorable, has captivated global audiences with icons like Hello Kitty." (Japan-dev.com, "Japan's Kawaii (Cute) Culture: Wide Eyes, Bows and Pastel Colors")
Noun (Table of Contents design): "Designers often look for 'cute table of contents' ideas to make their digital magazines more inviting and visually appealing." (Pinterest, "Cute table of contents")
In Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film (Meet-cute): "The film 'Meet Cute' explores the concept where two romantic leads first encounter each other under unusual, humorous, or cute circumstances." (The Montclarion, "'Meet Cute' Is Repetitive but Still Full of Surprises")
Television (Character description): "Fans often describe the animated protagonist as 'endearingly cute,' praising her wide eyes and cheerful disposition." (Common in reviews or fan discussions of animated shows)
Music (Song lyrics): A pop song might have lyrics like, "You're so cute when you pretend you don't care, but I see that smile hiding there." (Original example, common in romantic or playful song lyrics)
Video Games (Character design): Many indie games intentionally feature "pixel-cute" or "chibi-style" characters to appeal to a broader audience. (Common observation in gaming discourse)
Social Media (General use): A user might post a picture of their pet with the caption, "Just woke up to this cute face!" (Common on Instagram, Facebook, etc.)
In General Public Discourse:
Adjective (Describing children/pets): "Oh, look at her little dimples, she's so incredibly cute!" (Everyday conversation when seeing a baby or small child)
Adjective (Sarcastic/Condescending): "You think that's a good idea? That's just cute." (Said with a tone implying the idea is naive or simplistic, often in professional or political discussions)
Adjective (Flirtatious/Appreciative): "He gave me a cute wink across the room." (Informal social interaction)
Verb (Cutify - informal): "She spent the afternoon trying to 'cutify' her resume with colorful fonts and little illustrations, though I'm not sure it was the best professional move." (Informal discussion about presentation or aesthetics)
10 Famous Quotes Using Cute
"That's so cute... for a human." (Drax the Destroyer, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2) - A popular line known for its humorous, deadpan delivery.
"I always said I was going to be a writer, and if I wasn't, I was going to die. And I'm still trying to be cute about it, but it's true." (J.D. Salinger, as quoted in "Salinger: A Life" by Kenneth Slawenski) - Reflects a more self-deprecating or charming sense of "cute."
"I'm not trying to be cute. I'm being a businessman." (Arnold Schwarzenegger, during his political career, often in response to accusations of being populist or unserious.) - Highlights "cute" as something perceived as unserious or overly charming.
"You're cute when you're mad." (A common trope in romantic comedies and popular culture, often used to tease a partner.) - While not attributable to a single famous source, its widespread use makes it culturally significant.
"And then you've got the whole 'cute' factor, which is something unique to pandas." (David Towne, National Zoo panda biologist, as quoted in news articles about panda appeal) - Directly refers to the animal's inherent appeal.
"You know, you might be cute, but you're not as cute as me." (A playful, often boastful, line heard in various forms of casual discourse and sometimes media.) - Reflects competitive or self-centered use of "cute."
"I don't think it's particularly cute when people try to sound smarter than they are." (Original quote, reflecting a common sentiment about pretentiousness) - Uses "cute" to describe an attempt at being clever that falls flat.
"It wasn't a pretty victory, but it was effective. Sometimes, you just need to be clever, not cute." (Original quote, emphasizing cleverness over mere charming appearance) - Contrasts "cute" with effective action.
"She had a cute way of tilting her head when she was thinking, a habit her mother found endearing." (Original quote, illustrating an endearing characteristic) - Focuses on the charming aspect.
"The startup pitched a really cute app, but the business model was anything but." (Original quote, using "cute" to describe an appealing but possibly superficial product) - Describes something visually appealing but lacking substance.
Etymology
The word "cute" has a surprisingly clever origin!
It actually comes from a longer word: "acute."
When "cute" first appeared in the English language around 1731, it was essentially a shortened, informal version of "acute." In its earliest use, it even sometimes had an apostrophe at the beginning – 'cute – to show that part of the word had been chopped off.
Back then, "acute" meant things like:
Shrewd: Being very sharp or keen in thinking, having good judgment.
Clever: Smart, quick-witted, ingenious.
Sharp: Mentally piercing or perceptive.
So, in the 1700s and even into the 1800s, if you called someone or something "cute," you were usually complimenting their intelligence, wit, or ingenuity, rather than their appearance. For example, a "cute remark" would have meant a very quick and clever one, not necessarily an adorable one.
It was only later, particularly around the mid-1830s and especially in American English (often among students), that "cute" started to take on its more familiar meaning of "attractive," "pretty," "charming," or "dainty." This shift likely happened because something that is cleverly designed or "just right" can also be aesthetically pleasing. Over time, this newer meaning became dominant, especially for describing things that are charming in a youthful, small, or endearing way, like puppies, babies, or small decorative items.
So, the next time you call a fluffy kitten "cute," remember you're using a word that centuries ago was used to describe a sharp mind!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Cute
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "cute," or with synonyms for similar effect:
Meet-cute: A humorous or charming first encounter between two characters in a story, especially a romance.
Cute as a button: Very attractive, charming, or endearing, typically describing a small person or object.
Cute as a bug in a rug: Similar to "cute as a button," emphasizing coziness and charm.
Cute trick: A clever or cunning maneuver, sometimes implying a slight deception or artifice.
Don't get cute with me: A warning or admonishment to stop being presumptuous, sarcastic, or overly familiar.
Playing cute: Behaving in a way that is deliberately charming or innocent, often to manipulate a situation or avoid responsibility.
Think cute: (Original phrase) To approach a problem or design with an emphasis on charm, aesthetic appeal, or cleverness, sometimes at the expense of practicality.
Cute and cuddly: Describing something that is both adorable in appearance and pleasant to hold or embrace.
A cute little number: Often used to describe an attractive or stylish piece of clothing, like a dress or outfit.
A little too cute: Implying something is overly elaborate, contrived, or trying too hard to be charming, thus losing its genuine appeal.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of cute from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
