meet cute

USAGE SUMMARY

"meet cute" is an idiomatic phrase used to describe two characters in a movie, book, or TV show who meet in an unexpected and endearing way.
Example sentence: The lead characters in the movie met cute after bumping into each other in the park.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

They don't meet cute".

The New Yorker

It all points in one direction: meet cute, leave bloody.

The New York Times

Shanley likes to play Cupid in his romantic scripts, where people not only meet cute but meet cute again and again — while wearing sweet-scented prophylactics.

The New Yorker

He and Boyle meet cute tough-guy style, with Boyle voicing racist nonsense during a briefing.

The New York Times

Avé and Kamen meet cute on a roadside, thumbs extended, both in dirty jeans, completely untethered.

The New York Times

She added: "Two of the girls said we might meet cute Midwestern boys.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Prologue: The meet-cute.

The New Yorker

Variety has called the film "basically a meet-cute yarn".

The Guardian - Film

Johnny Depp describes his meet-cute with Hunter S. Thompson.

The New Yorker

Do you have a meet-cute story to share?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I also wanted us to have a really pompous meet-cute.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "meet cute" to concisely describe a charming and amusing first encounter between characters, especially in fictional contexts. It is a widely understood term.

Common error

Avoid using "meet cute" to describe any initial meeting; it specifically refers to encounters that are charming, amusing, or have a sense of destiny or romantic potential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meet cute" functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific type of initial encounter, often found in storytelling. Ludwig AI confirms that it’s widely used to describe charming or amusing first encounters.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meet cute" is a commonly used phrase to describe a charming or amusing initial encounter between characters, particularly in romantic stories. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely accepted and understood. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, highlighting its place in popular culture. When using "meet cute", ensure the encounter is genuinely charming or amusing; it’s not just any first meeting. Alternatives like "charming first encounter" or "adorable initial meeting" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

romantic first encounter

Highlights the potential for romance in the meeting.

adorable initial meeting

Highlights the lovableness of the first meeting.

charming first encounter

Focuses on the delightful nature of the meeting.

serendipitous first meeting

Emphasizes the fortunate and unplanned nature of the meeting.

amusing first encounter

Emphasizes the humor of the initial meeting.

fortuitous introduction

Indicates that the meeting was a lucky occurrence.

unlikely first encounter

Stresses the unexpectedness of the meeting.

engaging first meeting

Focuses on how captivating the initial interaction was.

fated first meeting

Suggests the meeting was predestined.

memorable first encounter

Highlights that the meeting made a strong impression.

FAQs

What does "meet cute" mean?

The term "meet cute" refers to a situation, typically in a movie or television show, where two potential romantic partners meet for the first time in a charming, amusing, or unlikely way.

How can I use "meet cute" in a sentence?

You can use "meet cute" to describe the initial encounter between characters. For example, "Their "adorable initial meeting" /s/adorable+initial+meeting happened when they both reached for the same book in the library."

Is "meet cute" only used in the context of romantic relationships?

While primarily associated with romantic relationships, "meet cute" can also describe a charming first encounter between any two individuals, even if there's no romantic intent.

What are some alternatives to "meet cute"?

Depending on the context, you might use "charming first encounter", "adorable initial meeting", or "serendipitous first meeting" as alternatives to "meet cute".