It’s always nice to hear compliments, but when a guy calls you “adorable,” it can be tricky to know how to respond.
Unlike words like “beautiful” or “stunning,” which focus on looks, “adorable” is a more casual and friendly term. It’s not just about appearance; it’s more about your personality and how you come across.
Guys can act in strange ways when they’re attracted to someone, and sometimes, figuring out what they really mean can be confusing.
In this article, you’ll learn 15 ways to respond when a guy calls you adorable. Each reply fits different situations and helps you react in a way that suits your mood or the message you want to send. Let’s go!
Key Takeaways
- The easiest way to respond when a guy calls you “adorable,” no matter the situation, is to simply say “thanks” or “thank you.”
- If you feel comfortable, you can compliment him by saying something like, “Thanks, you’re handsome too.”
- If the compliment makes you uncomfortable, you can politely say, “I hear that a lot,” or just “thanks,” and then change the subject or move on.
- If you know the guy well, you could respond with a joke or something playful.
As a woman, I totally get it—when a guy calls you “adorable,” time can seem to freeze.
You’re left wondering what to do or say. Whether he’s your crush, best friend, or someone you’re not into, he’s giving you a compliment.
The next time a guy calls you “adorable,” you’ll find the 15 different responses in the next section super helpful.
List of the 15 Best Replies for When a Guy Calls You Adorable
- Thank you.
- Thanks. Nice to hear
- I appreciate you saying that.
- That’s nice to hear.
- You’re pretty handsome yourself.
- What made you think that?
- What else do you think I am?
- Let me show you how adorable I can be!
- I hear that a lot.
- I hope you’re not just saying that.
- Too bad it’s only on the outside.
- You’ve not even seen me in my best.
- Thanks! I try my best.
- Guess it runs in the family.
- Takes one to know one.
I have to mention that the context really matters. While “adorable” is usually meant as a compliment, sometimes it can come across as a way to make women feel like they’re not being taken seriously.
For instance, if I say something funny or lighthearted, I don’t mind being called adorable.
But if I’m trying to make a serious point and someone responds, “Oh, it’s so adorable when you try to be serious!” It feels patronizing.
However, most of the time, it’s a positive comment. In the following sections, I’ll explain how to choose the proper response so you’ll always know what to say!
Quick Tip:
- The best way to know a guy’s intention for calling you adorable is to pay attention to the tone, body language, and context.
1. Thank you
You can never go wrong replying to a compliment from a guy by smiling and saying “thank you” This also works for when they call you adorable.
Whether you feel comfortable or not, what really matters is your facial expression and what you do after thanking him.
This is also a good way to respond if you’re shy or feel awkward about compliments.
I usually advise my fellow girlies to keep their responses brief. As long as they sound sincere, they don’t need to say a ton of stuff in response.
2. Thanks. Nice to hear
Another way to respond when a guy calls you adorable is by telling him how his compliment made you feel, after saying “thanks.”
A good way to say this is: “Thanks. Nice to hear.”
This shows you appreciate his compliment and accept it kindly. I like this response because it boosts your confidence.
Many girls feel like they need to “earn” compliments from guys or that they should compliment them back, but that’s not true.
Just say how you feel about the compliment. This can either keep the conversation going or end it, depending on how you feel about the guy. You’re in control!
3. I appreciate you saying that
Sometimes, just saying “thank you” can feel a bit plain or not very genuine. So if you want a different way to respond when a guy calls you adorable, you can say, “I appreciate you saying that.”
This still shows you’re thankful for his nice words, regardless of his intention.
You’re just focusing on the compliment, and, as courtesy suggests, you’re showing appreciation for it.
4. That’s nice to hear
Being called adorable is a nice thing that can make you feel good about yourself and your relationship with the person who said it.
So replying with a simple “that’s nice to hear” makes sense because it really is.
When a guy calls you adorable, it usually means he likes you and finds you attractive in some way.
But it doesn’t always mean he’s romantically interested. He may just be showing his admiration or affection as a friend.
5. You’re pretty handsome yourself
You can return the compliment by saying something nice about the guy too. For example, you could say, “you’re pretty handsome yourself,” which works well.
A guy can call you adorable because he finds you physically attractive—maybe it’s your smile, eyes, or how you dress. If he likes you, he can use “adorable” to show his interest in a sweet and innocent way.
If you like how he complimented you and feel comfortable with it, feel free to compliment him back based on his looks too.
6. What made you think that?
Another intelligent way to respond when a guy calls you adorable is to turn the question back to him. You can ask, “What made you think that?”
A guy calling you adorable can mean different things depending on your relationship and the situation. If you’re unsure what he means, asking him directly is a good idea.
Sometimes, guys might use the word “adorable” in a way that seems condescending or to show dominance.
So, asking him what he meant can help you understand his intention and avoid jumping to conclusions.
7. What else do you think I am?
If you want a witty response, try saying, “What else do you think I am?”
Sometimes, guys use the word “adorable” to tease you or be playful. He may be flirting or just trying to make you smile.
If he’s being lighthearted, it’s a good sign he’s interested in you. Asking this question is a fun way to show your wit and keep the conversation going.
After you say this response, you will feel more relaxed and confident. Let him do the thinking trying to respond to your reply.
8. Let me show you how adorable I can be
If you want to respond flirty, especially if the guy is your boyfriend, you can say, “Let me show you how adorable I can be.”
Sometimes, calling you “adorable” can signify romantic interest. If a guy (like a crush) calls you adorable, he may be trying to hint at his feelings for you subtly.
Guys can be too shy to express their feelings directly, so they use this term to show how they feel.
If you’re interested in him, too, watch his other actions for signs of romantic interest. When you notice those signs, you can use this flirty response.
9. I hear that a lot
If you want to brush off the guy, you can respond with something like, “I get that kind of compliment a lot.” This is a good way to show you’re not interested in continuing the conversation.
It gives the impression that you’re used to such compliments and lets him know you’re not too excited about his comment.
10. I hope you’re not just saying that
Saying, “I hope you’re not just saying that,” is a funny and effective way to respond when a guy calls you adorable.
Not everyone means what they say, and he might be giving you a compliment to win you over, get a favor, or just flatter you. This response works well in that case.
Your personality affects how people see you. People are more likely to find you adorable if you’re confident and have a positive attitude.
But if you’re shy and nervous, even if you have a great sense of humor, people may not see you as adorable.
11. Too bad it’s only on the outside
There’s nothing wrong with adding a sass when responding to a compliment, especially if you keep it humorous.
For example, you can respond with, “Too bad it’s only on the outside,” when a guy calls you adorable.
When a guy calls you adorable, it often means he genuinely cares about you and finds you cute. He might even smile or laugh, showing he’s sincere.
Using a response like “too bad it’s only on the outside” can keep things playful and prevent him from getting too serious too quickly.
12. You’ve not even seen me in my best
Boost your confidence when a guy compliments you by saying, “You’ve not even seen me in my best.”
This means that the part of you he finds adorable isn’t even your best side, which can make you feel more confident.
If a guy calls you adorable, it could mean he thinks you’re cute and innocent. So, saying, “you’ve not even seen me in my best.” is a playful and funny way to show that you’re even more charming than he’s seen.
This response is sure to get a laugh!
13. Thanks! I try my best
“Thanks! I try my best” is a popular one. Somehow, it also sounds good for this situation.
Somehow, it also sounds perfect for replying to a guy’s compliment about you being adorable.
It’s especially a good reply if you’re not interested in him romantically.
14. Guess it runs in the family
Another fun way to respond when a guy calls you adorable is to say it “runs in the family.”
This means that the quality he likes about you is something that many people in your family have.
This response works well if he compliments traits like charm, kindness, or a sweet demeanor. It could also apply to your smile, personality, quirks, or actions.
15. Takes one to know one
If someone calls you adorable and you want to reply creatively, you could say, “It takes one to know one.”
This phrase means that if you think someone else is great, it probably means you’re also great. So, when you say this, you’re basically saying you think he’s adorable too.
Even though kids often use this phrase to respond to criticism, it can still be a fun and positive way to compliment someone.
The Bottom Line
Whether in person or online, it’s always nice when someone thinks you’re cute or adorable.
How you respond depends on how the compliment makes you feel.
At the end of the day, if you’re unsure how to reply when a guy calls you adorable, a simple “thank you” is usually a safe and good choice.
Sometimes, the guy will call you “gorgeous” instead. In such a case, we created a special response you can give for that one. You can find it in this separate guide.
