noun
cutie
KYOO-tee/ˈkjuːti/
An attractive or endearing person.
The smiling adult is a cutie with a warm, cheerful expression.
Etymology
The diminutive turns cute from a description into an affectionate name for a person. Originally used especially for an attractive young woman, cutie now covers a charming or cute person more generally.
In context
Hey cutie. You have a pretty little face, and your body isn't bad either.
More examples
- What a cutie, she said about the grinning toddler.
- The proud uncle called his niece a cutie.
- Two little cuties waved from the stroller.
Forms
cutie · cuties
Similar words
- sweetheart
- Sweetheart emphasizes affection or kind character.
- beauty
- Beauty emphasizes striking attractiveness rather than charm.