How to Respond when a Guy Calls You Cute

Co-authored by Julianne Cantarella and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: May 8, 2025 Fact Checked

When a guy tells you you’re cute, everything can suddenly stand still—what do you do? What do you say? Whether he’s your crush, best friend, or someone you’re not interested in, he’s complimenting you. You’re amazing inside and out, and you can own that! The next time you’re called “cute” by a guy, try out these responses for flirting back, welcoming the attention, or appreciating the compliment.

Responding to Someone Calling You Cute

Politely thank them and let them know how nice the compliment was.
If you’re comfortable, tell them they’re cute, too, or offer them another compliment.
If the comment made you uncomfortable, politely let them know and change the topic.

1

“Aw! Thank you so much!”

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Accept the compliment with positivity and gratitude. This response works for a best friend, crush, or stranger. You politely acknowledge the conversation, all while expressing how awesome it made you feel.^{[1]
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Expert Interview} Add in a smile, and you’re golden.
- “That’s so sweet of you to say! Thank you!”
- “Shucks! That’s the sweetest thing I’ve heard today!”
- "Thanks so much for the compliment! It made me smile."^{[2]
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2

“That’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me today.”

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Send this polite response to just about anyone. If he’s made you smile, let him know it. Maybe you’ve had a rough day, or you just miss him, and his compliment suddenly made everything better. A perfect way to say “thanks” is to show just how much his kind words meant.
- “You just made my whole day. Thank you!”
- “After a long day, that’s so nice to hear.”

3

“That means a lot coming from you.”

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Let your crush know his opinion matters to you. He makes your heart flutter every time he smiles, so forget about when he calls you “cute”! This is a great subtle response if you’re head-over-heels for him but don’t want to look too obvious. Not only are you saying “thanks,” you're expressing gratitude and sharing just how much he means to you. And remember, he’s probably just as smitten with you as you are with him.^{[3]
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- “You have no idea how much that means to me.”
- “That’s the best compliment coming from you.”

4

“Thanks! You’re not too bad yourself.”

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Give a humble response that’ll have him blushing too. Compliments can sometimes be hard to take, and that’s okay! Even if you don’t think you’re cute, he does. So, before you question why he called you “cute,” accept the compliment and throw one right back at him to show him you like him too.^{[4]
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- “Thank you so much! You’re pretty cute too.”
- “Thanks! But you’re way cuter.”
- A cheeky “😙” can make a text response even more cutesy and flirtatious.

5

“Well, you’re the cutest person I know.”

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Tell your crush you think he’s “cute” back. You’ve caught his eye, so know it’s time to tell him he’s grabbed your attention. Give him a flirty compliment in return to show him how you feel. He’s taken that first step in calling you “cute,” so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
- “I could be saying the same about you.”
- “How is that possible when you exist?”
- Throw in a cheesy gif or “❤️” to give a text a whole new meaning.

6

“You must’ve rubbed off on me.”

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Accept the compliment from your crush with a little sass. There’s nothing wrong with being a little witty, especially when it comes to your crush! So, respond to his compliment with a wink with this playful response that will totally have him blushing.
- “Guess that’s something we have in common.”
- “Takes one to know one.”
- “Touche cutie.”

7

“Definitely not blushing right now.”

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Give your crush a hint of what he does to you. You can’t go wrong with a flirt, especially if it makes him picture you when you’re not around. Wave off his adorable compliment with a giggle and turned cheek or a relatable gif. Don’t be afraid to tell him how you reacted to his compliment!
- “Oh stop it! You’re making me blush!”
- “My heart just exploded.”
- “Totally not smiling like an idiot at that.”

8

“🥰🙈😘”

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Emojis are a great way to respond over text. If you don’t know what to say, let some super cute emoticons do the speaking for you! There are hundreds of flirty and smiley emojis to choose from, so pick at least three that represent how his compliment made you feel and hit send.^{[5]
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- “😁🤗💗”
- “💁‍♀️😘😏”
- “😇🤫🤣”

9

“You really think so?”

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Ask your crush why he thinks you’re “cute.” Some compliments may take more than a simple “thank you” to be accepted, but accepting compliments can be hard, especially if you don’t feel the same way. Redirecting the compliment with a question is a nice way to express your self-doubts and get a peek into how he sees you. If this amazing guy thinks you’re cute, own it!^{[6]
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- “What makes you say that?”
- “Thanks, but why? Why do you think I’m cute?”
- “So, you liked the sweater I wore today?”

10

“Alright, what do you want?”

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Send this sarcastic remark to a friend. There’s no doubting that your best guy friend likes to butter you up with compliments before asking for something. Cut right to it by zooming past all his antics and asking what he wants right then and there.
- “Thank you! Now, what do you want?”
- “Let me guess, you need something.”
- Throw in a “😂” or “🤨” to show him you’re on to his tricks.

11

“Aw shucks! Wish I could say the same about you!”

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Have a little sarcastic fun with a friend and this response. Maybe this is a friend trying to make a romantic relationship happen, or is someone you’re always teasing around with. No matter, tossing in some humor can be a great way to respond to compliments, especially if they make you a little nervous. So, lower that self-praise with a quick joke to move the conversation in a different direction.^{[7]
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- “Too bad I can’t say the same about you!”
- “Could tell you how I do it, but you’d have to pay me.”
- A goofy gif or “🤣” can add an extra layer of hilarity to your response.

12

“Thanks, but we’ve got to stay focused.”

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Redirect the conversation if it’s not the time for flirts. It’s always nice to receive a compliment, but sometimes it can seem a little inappropriate for the setting. If he calls you cute at work or in the middle of a school project, maybe try to focus the conversation back to the task at hand. There will be plenty of time to flirt later.
- “Aw, thanks! But we totally shouldn’t be flirting right now.”
- “That’s so sweet! Maybe I’ll show you how cute I can be later.”
- “Thanks, but let’s save all that for tonight.”

13

“I appreciate that. Thank you.”

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If you’re not interested, give this humble response. Rather than deflecting or rejecting the compliment, say “thank you” and move on. You don’t want to hurt his feelings after he’s lifted yours, so keep your response short, simple, and positive. Express your gratitude with a gracious smile, and then change the subject.
- “That’s very sweet. Thank you.”
- “Thanks, that’s very kind.”
- “How nice! Thank you for saying that.”
- Be honest if you aren't super comfortable with his message! Say something like "I need to get to know you better before we start talking like this."^{[8]
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- You can also change the subject if you feel uncomfortable.^{[9]
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Question

How do you respond to a flirty compliment?

Julianne Cantarella
Dating & Relationship Coach
Julianne Cantarella is a Dating Coach, Certified Life Coach, Licensed Social Worker, and the CEO and President of New Jersey's Matchmaker. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in helping women heal from a heartbreak and create healthy long-term relationships. Julianne created a comprehensive transformational date coaching program From First Date to Soulmate™ that has helped hundreds of women find love. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Fordham University. Julianne has contributed to numerous media such as Your Tango Online Magazine, 24Seven Wellness Magazine, and Talk of The Town Magazine. She has also been featured as a relationship expert on CBS, iHeartRadio, and PBS “This Emotional Life Project.”

Julianne Cantarella

Dating & Relationship Coach

Expert Answer

Respond in kind, if you feel comfortable enough! Try to mirror his language by being quick-witted and flirtatious yourself. If you don't feel comfortable, feel free to redirect the conversation to a different topic.

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