“Pretty boy” is a term used to describe a man who has some feminine characteristics.
Those characteristics can be in his physical appearance, his physical strength, his personality, or any combination of those things.
A further explanation
Some men display a few characteristics of a pretty boy, while others exude many of them.
Perhaps he is very sensitive and emotionally oriented. In this case, other men might refer to him as a pretty boy. This can be in lieu of his physical appearance.
The term can also apply to the way a guy dresses. It is possible to look masculine but dress in feminine-looking attire.
When he does that, other people may consider him to be a pretty boy even in the absence of him having a feminine facial appearance.
An alternate definition
It is also plausible for a man to be completely masculine and macho and very good-looking. Sometimes when this happens, a woman might call him pretty.
This man displays extreme beauty in his facial features and other people consider him to be quite handsome.
In the case of the above scenario, folks can call him pretty and mean it in a totally complimentary way.
These people, typically women, may call the guy pretty. And while in days past it would have been unusual for a man to call another man pretty, nowadays, it is more acceptable.
It can also be used to describe a guy who is a bit vain. He worries about his wardrobe and the way he looks, perhaps a little too much for some men.
Other guys could consider this a trait of a pretty boy.
Is the term “pretty boy” meant as an insult?
It depends on who is using the term. There are times when a man might use it to express displeasure towards another man.
Perhaps it is not even relevant, and this person just wants to annoy the other guy.
If a woman calls a guy a pretty boy, it can either be an insult or a compliment. Which one it is can be ascertained by the way she says it and the circumstances behind it.
For example, if she is with a group of other people, she might say a guy is pretty in a flattering and complimentary tone.
On the other hand, if she says it in an angry tone, it is most likely meant as an insult.
In this case, the recipient of the statement can choose to be insulted by it or ignore it.
What should a guy do when someone calls him a pretty boy in an insulting manner?
His first instinct might be to get mad. If it is another guy doing the name-calling, he may want to respond by punching the accuser. This is NOT advisable.
So, what can he do? We have suggestions.
The best way to handle this is to shrug it off and ignore the other person.
This is a good way to show the would-be offender that their insults are getting them nowhere.
An even better response would be to act like it’s a compliment and thank the accuser for their kind words.
Doing this will likely surprise the person and will give you more control over the situation.
Can you call a guy pretty to his face?
Yes, if you mean it as a compliment. If you mean it to be derogatory, you can still do it, but don’t expect a positive response.
It is possible to call him pretty in a complimentary way if you use the right tone and context.
Women tend to refer to a man they find attractive as pretty. It is often used as a synonym for someone who is handsome, cute, or aesthetically pleasing to her.
The manner in which she delivers this compliment will often determine how the guy takes it.
If she would like to start a relationship with this man, she ought to tell him he is pretty in a pleasant tone of voice and follow it up with additional nice words.
It is also possible for a guy to call another guy pretty and mean it in a good way if they are both same-sex-oriented or simply good friends.
In such a case, it is meant to be a term of endearment and the recipient of this phrase will take it that way. This is completely acceptable in today’s modern society.
Is it okay for a man to like being called pretty?
Yes, it is if he chooses to do so. This is not only true of men with feminine characteristics but of masculine men too.
It means he is not quite so sensitive and is welcoming of all compliments. There is nothing at all wrong with this.
This is true of heterosexual men in addition to same-sex men.
This individual understands the nature of the compliment and does not take offense as long as it is delivered in a pleasant tone.
If another guy uses this phrase as a means of taunting him, he can really stymie this guy by liking it and demonstrating that.
This is better than getting angry and will put the taunting person in his (or her) place quickly.
What are some signs that a guy is a pretty boy?
To give you a clearer picture of what we are talking about, let’s look at a list of some common traits of a pretty boy:
- He has feminine facial characteristics
- He has a weaker handshake than a lot of men
- The man uses several facial moisturizers and maybe a few cosmetics
- His hair is highlighted and styled in a feminine manner
- He enjoys shopping for either groceries or clothing
- He does not have a gun collection
- He loves to view himself in the mirror all the time
- He likes feminine products such as body oil
Is a guy considered to be a pretty boy if he cares about the way he dresses?
No, that is a stereotype. This behavior shows he likes to appear nice and well-groomed. His clothes are neat, and everything matches.
There is nothing wrong with this, nor is it necessarily a trait of a pretty boy.
Earlier, we mentioned guys that like to shop for clothes as demonstrating a trait of a pretty boy.
Although some people feel this way, not everyone agrees. It just means he cares about how he looks.
The age we are living in has a lot to do with this too. Years ago it was considered extremely feminine for a man to care about his appearance.
He would be ripe for a lot of taunting from other men. Today things are different. Such traits in a man are now widely accepted and appreciated.
Common applications of the phrase “pretty boy”
Most often the phrase is directed towards a guy in his teens or 20s. This guy does not usually have a well-built physique but is not fat by any means.
He may or may not have a beard and/or a mustache. This person can also have what is referred to as a baby-face.
With that being said, older men can also have some of these same traits. It is then still pertinent to call him a pretty boy, especially by women.
This man sometimes dresses in clothes with a feminine look to them and styles his hair in a girlish manner.
The personalities of pretty boys can also differ. Some can be prissy and stuck up, while others are friendly and outgoing.
It often depends on what kind of treatment from other people he has received over the course of his life.
Who is generally considered to be a pretty boy?
A lot of celebrities are or were known to be called pretty boys.
Most of them are or were fine with this moniker, as it usually came from women or same-sex men who adored them.
Please note that in most cases here, “pretty boy” is meant to be complimentary. Here is a brief list.
- Justin Bieber
- David Bowie
- Prince
- Donald Trump
- Lionel Ritchie
- Elijah Wood
- Rob Lowe
- David Spade
- Brad Pitt
- Bret Michaels
- Kurt Cobain
- Joe Buck
What is the difference between being described as handsome rather than pretty?
This generally means the guy is extremely good-looking but in a very masculine way.
He can be a rugged, outdoorsman or an athlete or possess other characteristics that describe a manly man who is quite nice looking.
The pretty boy moniker means essentially the same thing but is applied to someone who demonstrates feminine traits.
It is another term for cute or a guy who appears to have girlish features in his face and on his body.
It should be mentioned that many people use the two terms interchangeably. The same people might use either method of describing a nice-looking guy.
To them, there is no difference when applying these phrases.
What are some defining features of a pretty boy?
He is usually free of facial hair, has fine features, and occasionally uses cosmetics. His locks can be long and/or be styled in a more feminine manner.
This person would not be described as handsome yet is very attractive to either women or same-sex men.
A pretty boy does not typically work out with weights or heavy exercises. His body can have a small six-pack without the need for physical activity.
He would never be described as muscular. On the other hand, a pretty boy is seldom fat or overweight by any means.
These are traits to be proud of. Therefore, when someone tries to taunt them, they can shrug it off and simply know that there is nothing wrong with the way they look.
