(Yet another work-discussion that inspired a post…)
Okay, so here’s a question I’ve long been pondering: what’s the difference between “cute” and “handsome”?
Here’s why I ask: I’ve never really been referred to as “handsome.” But I have, often, been referred to as “cute.” (We’re just going to ignore the “you’re not a model” statement, of course.)
So what’s the difference between the two?
I mean, which I hear the word “cute” I think of puppies and baby ducklings and the like; innocent, non-threatening balls of fluff, if you will. A teacup chiwawa, for example, is cute.
Handsome, on the other hand, well that makes one thing of a big, good-looking German Shepard in comparison to that chiwawa. Or a guy with a chiseled jaw and bulging pecs wearing a plaid shirt and standing on a mountain top with an axe slung over his shoulder.
Wait, doesn’t that guy sell paper towels too? Oh, yeah, the Brawny Man…
But I digress…
I have no doubt that both are considered to be compliments, but they don’t seem to be synonyms. In fact, I checked the thesaurus, and “cute” doesn’t come up as a synonym for “handsome”.
It’s hard not to think of it in the most basic of terms either: boys are “cute” whereas men are “handsome”. And women (well, at least most of the women I’ve ever known) are looking for “men” and not “boys” by the time they’re in the age of my dating pool.
None of this is to say that I’m bad looking by any means. I mean, hell, I’m no Brad Pitt, but I do okay. It does, however, make me wonder at times if there isn’t some… intangible quality that I’m missing. Something that would push me over the edge from “cute” to “handsome.”
So what’s the difference? What’s the meaning when one term is chosen over the other?
The GeekHiker 
Well, you could put it in a little different perspective: How many times have you heard someone call a little boy “handsome” like when he’s dressed up for something? (I have lots of little boy cousins, so I’ve heard it a lot…) Obviously a little boy is not a man, but this doesn’t keep people from describing him as handsome. I consider “handsome” to be more of a formal description (but that’s just me). Like, if you are about to go out to a fancy dinner or other event and are dressed very nicely, then I would probably describe you as handsome instead of cute. Therefore, I think, with this theory, all men have the potential of being handsome.
By: Gabe on April 24, 2008
at 6:24 am
huh. My comment created a smiley face that I didn’t intend for. It was supposed to be an end parenthesis. Oh well.
By: Gabe on April 24, 2008
at 6:26 am
i offer a bit of a different explanation. In terms of the dating pool…cute is someone that I am attracted too.
Handsome is someone that might be attractive, chiseled as you said Brad Pitt type way, but not necessarily someone that I would pursue into dating me. Just a hint speaking of which, men always assume that they pursue us….and you do…but it’s because we make the first move of interest…
So yea…handsome = unattainable or undesirable
Cute = date-able.
Make sense?
Just a quick analytical look at it…
By: cripkitty on April 24, 2008
at 7:16 am
I think similar to Gabe. Put almost any guy in a suit and he’d be handsome.
Funny thing is that I wouldn’t say all guys are cute out of the suit (clothed of course you bad thing!).
You are a good looking guy made even better looking because of who you are. Remember that. (I would bold the who but unsure about WP)
By: just a girl on April 24, 2008
at 7:29 am
Men in suits? *Swoon*
I agree with the ladies…
Handsome = Tom Brady, thus, yes, unattainable. The men out of my league, if you will – celebrity or not.
Though, when I refer to a guy as cute, I’m typically noticing that he has young(ish) looking features or appears very approachable, friendly.
Since you mentioned it, care to explain the difference between calling a woman “cute/pretty” and calling her “beautiful”? Because, while I know I’m cute, I don’t think I fall into the beautiful category…reserved for the likes of Jenifer Aniston and such.
By: East Coast Teacher on April 24, 2008
at 7:35 am
I agree with the women who have commented above in regards to attainability when it comes to those words, but another thing I will mention: “Handsome” usually means that the man has met some standard (not necessarily a good standard) that society has decided to put in place. Men can be “handsome” but I’m not attracted to them. There are a number of movie stars who are considered handsome that, while I can appreciate that they meet this standard for looks, I wouldn’t want to date them.
Cute, on the other hand, is subjective. There is no standard. everyone’s definition of cute is different. Cute denotes a likability and attraction. A German Shepard who is standing proudly next to his owner is handsome, but if his tongue is hanging out and he is bounding after a ball, he’s cute. Cute is quirky, cute is unique. Ugly things can be cute. Handsome things can be cute. I would actually prefer to be called cute rather than “Pretty” or “Beautiful” because cute immediately implies some sort of endearment whereas handsome doesn’t.
By: lea on April 24, 2008
at 9:15 am
See, I always think of “cute” in terms of behavior — and very few of the MEN I know act “cute” (cutely?), although small children and animals do. I find when a bunch of women sit around talking about a “cute guy”, it’s kind of demeaning to the guy.
I think of “cute” as being more about behavior and having to do with something or someone younger, and “handsome” as what the guys grow into.
Or, in younger guys, “cute” is more about the fresh-faced, boy-next-door look AND demeanor (again, behavior rather than looks), whereas “handsome” is the more sculpted look that usually takes a heck of a lot more work!
A friend of mine disagrees. She says the “cute” guy is the one who will treat you well, while the “handsome” one is the one who’s going to cheat!
I guess everyone has his or her own definition!
By: devonellington on April 24, 2008
at 10:25 am
I love Lea’s explanation. I myself have a slight aversion to “handsome.” In my experience, when someone is described as handsome (a blind date for example), there’s usually something not entirely attractive about them. When there’s no question about their attractiveness, people will just straight up say they’re “cute.” Or better yet, “hot.”
If I were you, I’d be pleased with the “cute” label.
By: Mel Heth on April 24, 2008
at 11:25 am
I think there is also a huge gender difference. Men see the word as demeaning whereas women see it as a compliment.
By: lea on April 24, 2008
at 3:53 pm
I’d have to agree with Gabe. “Handsome” is mostly long the lines of being formal, I also think it’s an “old” word, I barely hear it anymore.
Now, cute? I hear it all the time. Describing cats, guys, clothes, etc.
It’s really not supposed to be demeaning, or calling a man a boy, or whatever. Just take the damn compliment and say thanks, heh.
By: Wendy on April 24, 2008
at 7:24 pm
Gabe – I’ve always thought when the little boys were referred to as handsome, it was in a “aww, isn’t he cute” kind of way. Hmmmm, so appearance definitely seems to be a key to “handsome”…
Cripkitty – An interesting point of view. I’m hoping that’s good news for me, and I’ll keep an eye out for someone in this silly town to make a first move…
Just A Girl – So, it’s all about the suit, eh? Thanks for the compliment.
East Coast Teacher – I don’t know, as I tend to use the terms somewhat interchangeably myself. Of course, women probably choose their words more carefully than guys to begin with…
Lea – Well, that’s certainly an interesting way to look at the two terms. And yet, there’s still a part of me that wishes someone would say “that GH, that’s one handsome man.”
Devonellington – Heh, I’m going to go with your friend’s description, if for no other reason than it makes me look good!
Mel Heth – Having never been on a blind date (I know, weird, eh?) I wonder how the person setting me up would describe me?
Lea – I wonder why?
Wendy – Yes’m! 🙂
By: geekhiker on April 24, 2008
at 9:37 pm
Being the great student of human behavior that I am, I’ll give you the definitive rundown.
There are three levels of desirability in the feminine mind.
1) HANDSOME= You are a Samurai? Don’t act like a coward. Act like a Samurai and take me.
2) CUTE= He’s so soft and cuddly. Can I keep him?
3) A PROJECT= I could work with that.
Invariably women choose #3.
By: Phil on April 25, 2008
at 7:18 am
I think it depends on whether I’m talking TO someone or about someone. And how much I want them to know my real feelings. Someone is “cute” when I tell them to their face, because “handsome” is too serious and as I’m married, I can’t be hitting on guys in public.
And if I tell a friend a guy is cute, it’s because I don’t want her to know how hot I think he is so I hafta play it low.
Plus “handsome” is so formal. It’s how I describe movie stars because they are unknowable.
By: spleeness on October 30, 2009
at 2:31 pm
Me thinks that handsome has more a sexual appeal, looks more manly, someone you want a relationship with. Whereas cute is childish looking, bringing joy, not having any sexual appeal. You can describe a pet as cute, a baby as cute, i.e not necessarily a relationship material.
By: Johnny on January 1, 2010
at 9:19 am
I agree with you Johny 100%. The first comment I see that really make sense.
By: Karrill on November 25, 2014
at 6:30 am
Perhaps you should post a photo and all the gals can tell you what ‘cute’ really means in terms of YOU? In the meantime, I’m gonna send the picture of the Brawny man to someone I know to tell him every time I see him in a plaid shirt I think of paper towels…that’s why I searched google image for brawny, linked to here and ended up perusing this blog for 15 minutes. I’ll take a hike now (yes I DID just pun) Lates!
By: mari_p on February 23, 2010
at 7:23 pm
Cute: A boyish-looking man.
Handsome: A good-looking older man.
Simple as that.
By: Juan R on July 1, 2010
at 9:25 pm
I”M CUTE but i’m not pretty i’m just plain joy but my personality is pretty my soul is beautiful and my life is good not rich not poor but willing to help my neighbors -friends – family – so that in its self makes me a cute person with a wonderful soul and a beautiful life thank you je
By: joy on November 1, 2010
at 6:51 pm