adorable
gb/ədˈɔɹəbəl/ us/ədˈɔɹəbəl/
B1
English
imádnivaló, aranyos, bájos, cuki, imádandó, imádásra méltó
B1
1
imádnivaló
B1
aranyos
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is adorable
That puppy is adorable—look at its tiny paws.
Az a kiskutya imádnivaló – nézd az apró mancsait.
She brought her new baby to work, and everyone said he was adorable.
Bevitte az újszülött kisbabáját a munkahelyére, és mindenki azt mondta, hogy imádnivaló.
Your little drawings are adorable.
Learner examples
The cat is adorable.
A macska imádnivaló.
What an adorable baby!
Milyen imádnivaló kisbaba!
Common mistake:
‘Adorable’ is stronger and more emotional than ‘nice’; it usually means ‘cute’ rather than simply ‘good’.
Meaning
very cute and lovable
Collocations
an adorable baby
|an adorable puppy
|an adorable kitten
|an adorable little girl
|an adorable face
|an adorable smile
|absolutely adorable
|so adorable
|really adorable
|ridiculously adorable
Synonyms
cute (More general; ‘adorable’ often feels warmer and stronger.)
|
sweet (Emphasizes pleasantness and kindness as well as looks.)
|
precious (Often suggests something is especially treasured (sometimes a bit sentimental).)
|
lovely (Broader; can mean beautiful or pleasant, not only cute.)
Antonyms
ugly (Opposite in appearance and emotional appeal.)
|
unattractive (Neutral opposite meaning ‘not appealing to look at’.)
Themes
emotions
|daily_life
|relationships
Definition
Very cute and easy to love.
Very attractive in a sweet way and likely to make people feel affection.
B2
2
aranyos
A2
imádnivaló
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is adorable (when [they] [do something])
He’s adorable when he tries to explain complicated things in simple words.
Olyan aranyos, amikor bonyolult dolgokat próbál egyszerű szavakkal elmagyarázni.
Her excitement about the trip was completely adorable.
Teljesen imádnivaló volt, ahogy lelkesedett az utazásért.
It was adorable how proud she looked after baking her first cake.
Learner examples
You are adorable when you smile.
Olyan aranyos vagy, amikor mosolyogsz.
Common mistake:
Describing an adult as ‘adorable’ can sound affectionate, but it can also sound slightly patronizing in some contexts.
Meaning
endearingly charming in behavior
Collocations
adorable when he laughs
|adorable when she gets excited
|an adorable habit
|an adorable gesture
|an adorable way of speaking
|adorable enthusiasm
|adorable awkwardness
|kind of adorable
|so adorable of you
|genuinely adorable
Synonyms
endearing (Focuses on making people feel affection.)
|
charming (Can be more sophisticated; not always ‘cute’.)
|
lovable (Emphasizes being easy to like.)
Antonyms
annoying (Opposite emotional reaction: irritation instead of affection.)
|
off-putting (Causing dislike rather than warmth.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|communication
Definition
Nice in a cute, charming way (because of how someone acts).
Pleasing and likable because of the way someone acts, especially in a warm, innocent, or slightly awkward way.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
an adorable [place/thing]
We stayed in an adorable little hotel near the beach.
Egy bájos kis hotelben szálltunk meg a tengerpart közelében.
She found an adorable vintage lamp for her desk.
Talált egy bájos, régi stílusú lámpát az íróasztalára.
They live in an adorable neighborhood with lots of trees.
Learner examples
This café is adorable.
Ez a kávézó nagyon bájos.
Common mistake:
In more formal writing, ‘charming’ or ‘delightful’ often sounds more natural than ‘adorable’ for places or events.
Meaning
pleasantly attractive and charming
Collocations
an adorable café
|an adorable shop
|an adorable neighborhood
|an adorable apartment
|an adorable cottage
|an adorable dress
|an adorable card
|an adorable gift
|an adorable photo
|an adorable idea
Synonyms
delightful (Emphasizes pleasure; less ‘cute’ than ‘adorable’.)
|
charming (Often used for places and experiences; can sound slightly more grown-up.)
|
lovely (Broader and more neutral; less intense.)
Antonyms
dreary (Opposite: dull and depressing rather than charming.)
|
unpleasant (General opposite in experience.)
Themes
daily_life
|travel
|home
Definition
Very nice and charming to see or be in.
Charmingly attractive and pleasant, especially in a small, simple, or cozy way.
C1
INFORMAL
4
Usage pattern:
That’s adorable (when [someone] thinks/says [something])
You think you can finish this in an hour? That’s adorable.
Azt hiszed, egy óra alatt végzel vele? Hát ez aranyos.
He called my argument ‘adorable,’ which was clearly not meant as a compliment.
Az érvelésemet „aranyosnak” nevezte, és ezt nyilvánvalóan nem bóknak szánta.
“I’ll just talk to the CEO and fix it,” she said, and he replied, “How adorable.”
Common mistake:
This sarcastic use can sound rude or condescending; avoid it unless you are sure it fits the relationship and tone.
Meaning
used to mock naive confidence
Collocations
that’s adorable
|how adorable
|oh, that’s adorable
|adorable idea
|adorable attempt
|adorable excuse
|adorable little plan
|that’s kind of adorable
|that’s almost adorable
|isn’t that adorable
Synonyms
cute (Can be used sarcastically in a similar condescending way.)
|
sweet (May be used ironically to imply someone is naive.)
Antonyms
impressive (Praises ability or success rather than mocking it.)
|
formidable (Suggests real strength or seriousness.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
Definition
Sometimes said to mean: “That’s naïve” (not a real compliment).
Used (often sarcastically) to suggest that someone’s idea, attempt, or confidence seems naive, childish, or not impressive.
C2
ARCHAIC
5
imádandó
C2
Usage pattern:
the adorable [person/deity]
In older religious writing, the phrase “the adorable deity” is sometimes used.
Régebbi vallási szövegekben néha előfordul az „imádandó istenség” kifejezés.
The poem describes nature as an adorable power guiding human life.
A vers a természetet imádásra méltó erőként írja le, amely az emberi életet vezeti.
Common mistake:
In modern everyday English, ‘adorable’ usually means ‘very cute,’ not ‘worthy of worship.’
Meaning
worthy of adoration or worship
Collocations
the adorable God
|adorable majesty
|adorable presence
|an adorable figure
Synonyms
venerable (Respected and honored, often because of age or tradition.)
|
revered (Strongly respected, especially in a religious or formal context.)
Antonyms
contemptible (Deserving contempt rather than admiration.)
Themes
literature
|religion
Definition
Very worthy of love or worship (old-fashioned).
Deserving deep love, admiration, or worship.
Grammar
Dictionary form
adorable
IPA
GB/ədˈɔɹəbəl/
US/ədˈɔɹəbəl/
Syllables & stress
ad - or - able (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (or)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: adorable
Word family
Expressions
an adorable little [noun]
1/ən ədˈɔɹəbəl lˈɪtəl nˈaʊn/
fixed phrase
cute small thing or place
A very cute small thing/place/person.
Examples
- They rented an adorable little cabin by the lake.
- She has an adorable little laugh.
- We found an adorable little bookstore on a side street.
Learner examples
- It’s an adorable little house.
not exactly adorable
1/nˈɑt ɪɡzˈæktli ədˈɔɹəbəl/
fixed phrase
polite: not cute or pleasant
Not cute or nice (often said gently).
Examples
- The hotel room was clean, but the view was not exactly adorable.
- His comment about her accent was not exactly adorable.
- The weather today is not exactly adorable—cold rain all morning.
Learner examples
- This is not exactly adorable.
oh, that's adorable.
1/ˈoʊ | ðˈæts ədˈɔɹəbəl ‖/
fixed phrase
informal
sarcastic: dismiss naive idea
Sometimes means: “You’re being naïve” (sarcastic).
Examples
- Oh, that’s adorable—you think the printer will work on the first try.
- “I’ll be done by noon.” “Oh, that’s adorable.”
- He said, “Oh, that’s adorable,” and then pointed out all the problems in my plan.
that's adorable.
1/ðˈæts ədˈɔɹəbəl ‖/
fixed phrase
say something is very cute
I think that is very cute.
Examples
- That’s adorable—he made you a card all by himself.
- Aww, that’s adorable! She named the plant and talks to it.
- That’s adorable. Can I take a photo of the puppy?
Learner examples
- That’s adorable!
- That’s adorable—thank you.
too adorable for words
1/tˈu ədˈɔɹəbəl fɚ wˈɚdz/
fixed phrase
informal
so cute you can't describe it
So cute that I can’t describe it.
Examples
- This video of the kittens is too adorable for words.
- He’s too adorable for words when he tries to sing along.
- That tiny sweater is too adorable for words.
Learner examples
- The baby is too adorable for words.