adorable
gb/ədˈɔɹəbəl/ us/ədˈɔɹəbəl/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
very cute and lovable
Very cute and easy to love.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is adorable
Common mistake:
‘Adorable’ is stronger and more emotional than ‘nice’; it usually means ‘cute’ rather than simply ‘good’.
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’.)
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
Themes
emotions
|daily_life
|relationships
Examples
- That puppy is adorable—look at its tiny paws.
- She brought her new baby to work, and everyone said he was adorable.
- Your little drawings are adorable.
Learner examples
- The cat is adorable.
- What an adorable baby!
adjective
B2
property
2
endearingly charming in behavior
Nice in a cute, charming way (because of how someone acts).
Usage pattern:
[someone] is adorable (when [they] [do something])
Common mistake:
Describing an adult as ‘adorable’ can sound affectionate, but it can also sound slightly patronizing in some contexts.
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.)
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
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|communication
Examples
- He’s adorable when he tries to explain complicated things in simple words.
- Her excitement about the trip was completely adorable.
- It was adorable how proud she looked after baking her first cake.
Learner examples
- You are adorable when you smile.
adjective
B2
property
3
pleasantly attractive and charming
Very nice and charming to see or be in.
Usage pattern:
an adorable [place/thing]
Common mistake:
In more formal writing, ‘charming’ or ‘delightful’ often sounds more natural than ‘adorable’ for places or events.
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.)
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
Themes
daily_life
|travel
|home
Examples
- We stayed in an adorable little hotel near the beach.
- She found an adorable vintage lamp for her desk.
- They live in an adorable neighborhood with lots of trees.
Learner examples
- This café is adorable.
adjective
informal
C1
property
4
used to mock naive confidence
Sometimes said to mean: “That’s naïve” (not a real compliment).
Usage pattern:
That’s adorable (when [someone] thinks/says [something])
Common mistake:
This sarcastic use can sound rude or condescending; avoid it unless you are sure it fits the relationship and tone.
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.)
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
Themes
communication
|emotions
Examples
- You think you can finish this in an hour? That’s adorable.
- He called my argument ‘adorable,’ which was clearly not meant as a compliment.
- “I’ll just talk to the CEO and fix it,” she said, and he replied, “How adorable.”
adjective
archaic
C2
property
5
worthy of adoration or worship
Very worthy of love or worship (old-fashioned).
Usage pattern:
the adorable [person/deity]
Common mistake:
In modern everyday English, ‘adorable’ usually means ‘very cute,’ not ‘worthy of worship.’
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.)
Collocations
the adorable God
|adorable majesty
|adorable presence
|an adorable figure
Themes
literature
|religion
Examples
- In older religious writing, the phrase “the adorable deity” is sometimes used.
- The poem describes nature as an adorable power guiding human life.
Grammar
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.
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.
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?
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.