What makes a girl cute and what makes her sexy? Can a girl be both sexy and cute? Let’s find out through these 16 cute vs. hot traits.
Have you ever wondered what makes a girl cute vs. hot? It depends on a lot of things, such as body type, actions, personality quirks, or speaking patterns. But how does one categorize cute vs. hot?
If your crush says you’re cute, does that mean you’ve been friend-zoned? If you’re hot, does that mean you come off as easy or intimidating?
So many questions, so few answers! Well, let’s get down to business and find out what it means to be cute vs. hot.
[Read: 72 cute, sweet things to say to your boyfriend & make him really happy]
Cute vs. hot: Both are great
The word cute definitely doesn’t exude sex appeal on its own, but it’s a positive word. Just because people associate the word with kids and small animals doesn’t mean it’s degrading.
Cute has two completely different definitions. A cute girl is not the same as a cute child. Therefore, if you’re cute, you are attractive and desirable in your own way.
[Read: Cute relationship – 30 cute signs you both make people go awww!]
Hot people, on the other hand, are usually the main attraction in any given room. For the most part, their appeal links to some type of physical characteristic, which mostly has to do with their confidence.
It’s usually cute vs. hot, but you don’t have to be one or another. It’s quite sexist to label women as one or another, isn’t it? So don’t be disappointed if someone calls you this and not that. You are perfect just the way you are.
[Read: 31 very cute, flirty, sexy ways to surprise your boyfriend & make his day]
What makes a girl cute vs. hot?
So there’s someone you really like, but their type is “hot” and they think you’re “cute.” Now you’re wondering if it means you don’t have a shot with them.
Well, to know for sure if you really are a cute girl vs. a hot girl, you must know all the qualities of both types. Let’s find out what they are.
[Read: How to take a good selfie & look cute every time you snap a photo]
Cute vs. hot: A cute girl
Being cute doesn’t necessarily mean you’re childish or you look undesirable! But what are the traits of a girl who is cute?
1. She evokes a heartwarming feeling
A cute girl makes you feel safe and comfortable to be around. She gives a wholesome and heartwarming feeling.
She’s a very good friend, who’s playful with her crush and loves telling jokes and messing around. [Read: Things guys absolutely love in a girl besides appearances]
2. She thrives in smaller settings
A cute girl is too timid to steal everyone’s attention at a party, but she’s the one who stands out in a more intimate setting.
Everyone wants to be her friend since she’s so friendly, approachable, and trustworthy. If you have a problem or need some advice, she’s usually the first one you seek.
[Read: 30 fun & super cute questions to ask your boyfriend to have a laugh]
3. She’s innocent or a little weird
Cute usually goes with innocent, which is why the word is usually linked to children and pets. However, it doesn’t only refer to the girl’s looks but also the way she behaves.
When she does something or says something a little innocent or weird, you can’t help but laugh and say, “Oh my god, you’re adorable!”
She’s not doing this to stand out or be quirky, it’s just the way she is. And we love her for that!
[Read: 40 secrets & cute lines to make your boyfriend really happy over text]
4. She’s not intimidating
As mentioned before, the cute girl is usually shy and shines better in a small setting. Therefore, she’s not intimidating.
She may not be the type of girl that you’d see in a bar and want to hit it off right away. But if you do want to, you’d feel less pressured than when approaching a sexy girl.
[Read: 34 cute boyfriend and girlfriend quotes to renew your love life]
5. She looks cute
Next on the cute vs. hot list, we have appearance. It’s simple. A cute girl looks cute. And how do we define a cute appearance, you may ask?
Well, a cute girl wears feminine clothes that enhance her soft features, making her look youthful, but not childish. But to be fair, looks are quite subjective, so this category is different for everyone.
[Read: The 20 cutest, most adorably awkward moments in a new relationship]
6. She’s a lady in the street, but a devil in the sheets
Don’t judge a book by its cover, and don’t underestimate the cute girl. She may look innocent and sound innocent, but she can be super kinky.
She will surprise you with the things she can do when it comes to sex. And maybe she’s just waiting to show a different side of her to the right person.
[Read: 33 dirty, cute & funny relationship goals all couples must focus on]
7. She loves helping others
A cute girl has a heart of gold. She enjoys helping people, either if it’s with a class project, a task in the office, or helping an old lady cross the street. And in a relationship, she’s usually the one who takes care of her partner.
8. She’s romantic
A cute girl is romantic! She’s the one who cries while watching romcoms or reading a romance novel that doesn’t have a happy ending.
Her head is always in her fantasies, where the love of her life is her favorite fictional character. She loves using pet names and being called by pet names. This is also why she has such high expectations when it comes to love.
Whoever dates her will be a very lucky guy, because he’ll get cute texts from her every single day!
[Read: Sweet good morning texts for him – 60 ways to be the cutest girlfriend]
Cute vs. hot: A hot girl
When it comes to cute vs. hot, many women wish they were the latter. The idea that the term cute is just used as a lesser compliment is far from true. If anything, cute is often preferred when people want to compliment someone, since it carries less emotional significance.
But what is it about sexy that is so appealing? Let’s find out what makes a girl sexy.
[Read: Reverse cowgirl sex position – what it is & how to ride in sexy style]
1. She’s confident
Confidence is just so damn sexy. Women who know what they are, what they want, and what they deserve, are hot.
The hot girl is confident in life and also in the bedroom. She doesn’t mind making the first move and flirting with guys. And she always makes sure that she gets whatever and whoever she likes. [Read: The step-by-step guide to feeling sexy and desirable all the time]
2. She doesn’t mind flaunting her curves
A hot girl exudes sexual appeal. No matter what body shape or what size she is, the hot girl doesn’t mind flaunting her curves.
A lot of us are all about body positivity until it comes to loving our own bodies. But the hot girl owns it. She is proud of her body, and she doesn’t need to follow a body standard to feel satisfied with herself. [Read: How to look hot – 24 sexy tips to go from boring to irresistibly desirable!]
3. She’s intelligent
Forget about those movies where the smart girl has to take off her glasses to become hot. Sexy and intelligent aren’t mutually exclusive.
In fact, a driven intellectual girl can be equally as hot as the one with the tiny dress in a club, or she might even be wearing that tiny dress herself.
You can be both intelligent and hot. So just because someone calls you hot doesn’t mean they think you’re dumb! [Read: 24 sexy signs your guy thinks you’re hot & finds you very attractive]
4. She’s passionate
Passion makes a girl extremely sexy. A hot girl is passionate about everything she does: work, study, life, hobbies, and sex. She’s hard-working and knows exactly what she wants, which might be intimidating, but it helps her eliminate all the men who aren’t good enough for her.
Men who fear women with power don’t deserve a sexy woman. [Read: Dating stereotypes of women in a man’s mind]
5. She wears what she wants
Yes, a hot girl isn’t afraid to show her curves, but she can choose not to and still be sexy. The truth is, a hot girl is hot because she’s hot, not because of some article of clothing *although it can help*. Because once again, beauty is subjective.
If someone has all of the physical assets that you’re looking for, they’re sexy to you. But a lot of what defines sexiness lies beneath the surface. So, it doesn’t matter if she’s wearing a bikini or a suit, she’s hot and she knows it!
[Read: 30 sexy ways to tease your man & make him want to F you right there]
6. She’s not afraid to speak her mind
Another difference between cute vs. hot is that the cute girl may or may not be opinionated, but a hot girl always stands her ground. She knows what she wants and what she believes in, and she won’t let anyone invalidate her feelings.
However, there’s a fine line between integrity and discourtesy. You can share your opinions without disrespecting others. [Read: 16 secrets to seduce someone with words & make them crush on you]
7. She doesn’t care what people think
In the battle of cute vs. hot, the hot girl stands out as someone who is sure of herself and doesn’t care what people think. She does what she likes, follows her dreams, and is not afraid to be herself.
But again, this doesn’t mean you can hurt others and disregard their feelings. Live your life the way you want to, and let others live theirs. [Read: 20 subtle secrets to play it cool with a guy & not be distant or clingy]
8. She can be anything
Despite these aforementioned sexy attributes, the truth is every one of us has our own definition of hot.
It could be something extremely niche. For example, if a guy is in a band, he may find a girl who plays guitar hot. Or if the girl knows all the songs by his favorite indie artist or watches the same show he does, he’ll find her sexy.
Most people assume hot only has a physical meaning. But in reality, when someone calls you hot, chances are they’re physically and/or emotionally attracted to you.
They can find your sense of humor hot, not just the way you look or how you dress or what you can do in bed.
[Read: 29 things girls like to hear from men to feel special & loved]
Cute vs. hot: What really counts?
Come to think about it, it’s not really cute vs. hot, because these traits can go together. When it comes down to it, a girl isn’t only cute or hot. They’re all related, and every girl can be many different things.
She can enjoy showing off her curves but get anxious when she has to speak in front of a crowd. Or she can be a strong boss woman but is super shy in bed. [Read: 28 hot ways to be sexier for your boyfriend & make him lust for you]
In short, cute isn’t better than hot, and vice versa. And you can be either or both as long as you believe that’s who you are.
If you think you’re hot, then you’re hot. If you think you’re cute, then you’re cute. And when someone truly loves you, they’ll likely see you as both cute and hot.
[Read: 33 ways to look pretty naturally & make a guy’s heart skip a beat]
Think you have more to add to the list? Let us know what you think is cute vs hot in the comments below!