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What Do Guys Like In a Girl? 31 Qualities of a Highly Attractive Woman

December 6, 2024

In this guide, we take a look at the 31 qualities men find attractive in the opposite sex. Being attractive is more than just your physical appearance and sex appeal, it’s also got to do with your personality traits. Attraction is more than skin deep.

You can use this knowledge to improve your relationships with men and, hopefully, attract a man with substance into your life. 

Key Takeaways: 

  • Attraction is more than your physical appearance, it includes some key characteristics and personality traits as well 
  • Ultimately, attracting the right man for you means embracing who you are and being confident in what you have to offer
  • Over and above, we give you 31 characteristics that men typically love in women.

Embracing and Expressing Yourself Is the Key to Confidence

Before delving into the 31 characteristics and features men love in women, it’s important to note that learning to love who you are and embracing and expressing your authenticity is what’ll ultimately attract the right guy to you. Being your authentic self and finding a man who loves you for who you are is what leads to a happy, healthy relationship. 

If, however, you are curious as to what guys like in a girl, the 31 below-mentioned features are a good indication. Growing as an individual is, at the end of the day, what life’s about and if you want to add some of the positive characteristics below to your personality there’s nothing wrong with that.

31 Qualities in a Woman Men Want

1. Femininity

As described by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “Femininity is the quality or nature of the female sex: the quality, state, or degree of being feminine or womanly.”

Femininity is a learned set of traits that includes one's behavior, characteristics, and roles. Most straight men are attracted to women’s feminine sides the same way straight women are attracted to male’s masculinity. 

2. Sense of humor

sense of humor

A sense of humor is a positive trait for anyone to have and share with others. Laughing together with someone you care about is one of the best ways to bond. Laughter is also a great way to ease any tension or nervousness between people. So, it’s no wonder guys love girls who are able to laugh and see the lighter side of life. 

3. Confidence

A woman who knows what she wants and deserves will always be attractive to others. The more self-respect and confidence she has, the more likely men are to respect her and want to be around her. 

On the contrary, a lack of confidence can be off-putting. If a woman doesn’t know her true worth, it will affect the way she interacts with potential suitors.

Building faith in yourself will undoubtedly attract the right guy to you.

4. Playfulness

Men love women they can joke around with, be playful and carefree with. It reduces the tension in a relationship and ensures great memories are created. More so, playfulness allows for a unique bond to be formed between two people.

If you’re an incredibly serious person who struggles to let your guard down and be playful from time to time, a man might feel too intimidated to speak and interact with you. This might also deter a man from approaching you in the first place. 

5. Adventurous

Men often fall for spontaneous women. Although predictability may feel a little bit more secure to some, men undoubtedly cherish women who are open to adventure. Being adventurous gives men an indication of what your relationship together would look like - fun and exhilarating. 

Understand that being adventurous doesn’t mean taking things over the top. It could be in little ways like wearing a different hairstyle now and then or cooking a new meal to surprise your partner. Guys love little spontaneous acts like these as much as they love the big ones. It would also make them want you around even more. 

6. Intelligence

A sapiosexual is someone who is attracted to intelligence in another human. Quite frankly, I can see why this trait ranks so highly on many people’s checklist. 

Intelligence comes in various forms, for example, your IQ, EQ, and general knowledge. These are all qualities that can add to a relationship, from being able to contribute meaningfully in conversations to problem-solving, and being a trustworthy confidant. 

7. Family-oriented

Many men appreciate the nurturing, loving, family-oriented side that comes naturally to so many women. Putting family first is an honorable, selfless act that many women and mothers do on a daily basis. It’s no wonder that this trait is so highly regarded and so attractive to men. 

This trait also gives men an indication of what their life and future with you might look like, and it’s comforting. 

8. Your eyes

your eyes

It’s a common saying that the eyes are the window to the soul. In terms of physical characteristics, eyes are often the one thing that most men list as a point of physical attraction. 

However, it’s not necessarily just about the color, shape, or size of your eyes, it’s more about what your eyes reveal about you without you having to utter a word. 

Have you ever looked into someone’s eyes and seen right through them? Perhaps looking into the eyes of a loved one makes you feel safe and loved? Eyes reveal far more than words can sometimes. 

9. Patience

Patience is a virtue. It will always be an attractive quality for any person to possess.

“Patience helps you to develop a healthy attitude. A lack of patience often results in being unhappy, irritable, focusing on the negative and eventually believing that nothing ever seems to go your way. Patience improves your ability to accept setbacks and enjoy life much more.1"

More so, patience can help you transform relationships, gives you a greater sense of gratitude, and even contributes positively to your physical health.

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10. A grateful heart

Guys love highly appreciative girls. Expressing your gratitude for all the things your man does for you in a relationship, both big and small, is so important and makes him feel noticed and valued. 

Expressing gratitude is a great way to strengthen the bond and connection between two people and is even linked to the release of extra oxytocin (the love hormone). 

There are many different ways to express your gratitude, including verbal appreciation, written notes, and text messages.

11. Kindness

Kindness is naturally an attractive feature. People enjoy being around those who treat them well and are empathetic. Kindness is almost guaranteed to bless you with good relationships with those around you. 

12. Determination

Any lady who’s passionate and ambitious will capture the attention of potential suitors. Her dedication towards achieving her goals will be enchanting to like-minded individuals. Being strong-willed and determined will attract the right guys to you in the most surprising ways. 

13. Independence

While independence can come across as an intimidating quality to some men, it’ll be an attractive trait to the right ones. 

Independence simply means having a life that’s not solely dependent on your partner’s and can mean different things to different people, including having your own hobbies and job, your own circle of friends, and/or enjoying time alone. Independence is important for your well-being. 

14. Creativity

Creativity is important, and attractive, for so many different reasons. First off, creativity allows a person to be their true, authentic self. Furthermore, creativity does the following:

  • It allows you to be in tune with yourself and express yourself more effectively to your partner
  • Creativity leads to more effective problem-solving in relationships
  • Creativity allows you to come up with fun and exciting date ideas 
  • It allows you to see things from different perspectives

15. Physical affection

physical affection

Physical affection is one of the The Five Love Languages. In my experience, it’s the love language that’s often most important to men - it’s the way they enjoy showing and receiving love. So, it’s no doubt that a woman who’s physically affectionate will be attractive to men. Physical affection can be as small and simple as giving someone you love a hug, holding their hand, or stroking their arm.

16. Supportiveness

In any relationship, being a supportive partner is key to building a healthy, happy future together. Being supportive means you’re able to listen to your partner, compromise when needed, support them in achieving their dreams and goals, and be there when they need you. 

Supportiveness is undoubtedly an attractive quality to any man and is sure to give him a sense of security around you. 

17. Your smile

It goes without saying that a bright smile has the ability to turn strangers into friends and guarantee you a warm welcome wherever you go. 

Studies have shown that smiling makes one appear more courteous, likable, competent, and attractive. So, it’s no wonder that a beautiful smile is a physical feature many men find attractive in women. 

18. A forgiving heart

Any relationship is going to require a great deal of forgiveness if it’s going to last. No matter how similar you and your partner are and how aligned your values are, quarrels are bound to arise from time to time. 

Forgiveness also strengthens communication and understanding between partners. If you’re able to forgive and let go, without holding grudges, you’re far more likely to have a happy, successful relationship.

19. A friendly nature

Friendliness can go a long way - in friendships, the workplace, around strangers, and in relationships. Friendliness in other people is something you can sense, something that you’re instantly drawn to

Guys like friendly women because it generally indicates that they’re warm, approachable, easy to talk to, and they can feel relaxed around them. Men are also far more likely to make advances with friendly women than unfriendly ones. 

20. Your voice

While this may sound like a strange thing to be attracted to, many studies have revealed interesting facts about one’s voice and why it’s one of the things guys (and women) are attracted to in a partner. 

According to a new study from James Madison University, “the human voice transmits pertinent information regarding health status and age, with recent evidence suggesting that it plays an important role in mate selection.2" Furthermore, people are able to unconsciously sense fertility in a voice and rate these voices as more attractive. 

21. Trustworthiness

In today’s society, loyalty and trust are often underplayed as essential factors in sustaining relationships. 

If a man trusts you there’s a greater chance he’ll want something serious and long-lasting with you. Trust means your partner can confide in you and rely on you. Trust allows partners to be more open, giving, and forgiving.

Always try to avoid breaking the trust of those around you because it can tarnish your reputation in the long run. If you always stand up for the ones closest to you, are loyal to them, and trustworthy, you can rest assured men will appreciate this quality. 

22. Respect

Everyone values someone who is respectful and treats you with respect. Men enjoy spending time with respectful women who not only treat them well but also have a high degree of self-respect. 

Speaking from personal experience, I've seen time and time again how men value women who know what they deserve and expect to be treated with respect

Respect includes everything from the way you speak and interact with others to the way you dress and take care of yourself. 

23. Commitment

Commitment to someone, and the effort that goes hand in hand with it, is undoubtedly attractive. Commitment means sacrifice and selflessness and perhaps it’s these qualities that attract a man to a committed woman. Commitment also shows a man that a relationship is likely to stand the test of time and is generally a quality that loyal women possess.

On the contrary, being non-committal shows someone that you’re not serious or perhaps uninterested in them which usually leads to someone treating you the same way. All in all, this will result in an unhappy relationship. If you’re not committed to being with someone rather leave than allow for a toxic relationship to build up. 

24. A good listener

a good listener

Being a good listener is of paramount importance in any healthy relationship. Being a good communicator is really about being a good listener, not a good talker. 

“Being able to listen well helps us understand each other better, feel closer and more connected to each other, and ultimately helps us avoid unnecessary conflict. It also helps us resolve it more effectively when it does inevitably arise.3"

The great news is that everyone can learn to listen more effectively. If you want to have open and healthy communication with your partner, start by removing all distractions when the two of you talk, this includes switching the TV off, putting away your phone, and setting time aside when the two of you can have a one-on-one interaction. 

Secondly, make sure you use eye contact when communicating with your partner. Body language is also important - lean in, smile, nod, and be relaxed when they’re talking. 

If you need clarity on anything your partner has said, ask. Also, wait for them to finish speaking before interrupting. Often we only half listen to what our partner is saying because emotions are running high and we fixate on our side of the story and having our side heard. 

Let go of all of this in the moment, allow your partner to speak, breathe, and then voice whatever it is you need to. 

Most guys (and people in general) are attracted to those who listen to them and give them undivided attention, even if it’s only for a moment. So, if you’ve been wondering what causes a man to fall for a woman, add good listening skills to your list. 

25. Your scent

Ever smell a specific scent/perfume and a host of memories come streaming back? A specific scent is able to take you back in time in an instant, or make you think of that someone special. 

Scent can affect our moods, our memories, and our emotions. And, usually, scent is one of the first things we notice about someone else who we’re in an intimate relationship with - just think about the person you’re seeing and the way their perfume/cologne smells.

With the above in mind, it’s obvious why guys love a woman’s signature perfume/scent. Pick your favorite one wisely, he’s sure to remember you by it. 

26. Your clothing

More than clothing, guys love women who take pride in their appearance. If you put effort into your appearance, the clothes you wear, and are comfortable in your own skin, it’s a sure way to make a man fall for you

Whether you’re more comfortable in jeans and trainers or high heels and mini dresses is really up to you, all that matters is that you take pride in your appearance. Pick clothes that are clean and ironed and flattering when you’re planning on going out on a date - this shows you have made an effort, and it’s a sure way to make a guy feel special. 

27. Your hair

If you’ve ever asked men which physical features they notice first or are most attracted to in a woman, hair will be high up on the list. After all, your hair is the crown you wear. 

Your hair doesn’t necessarily need to be any specific length or style but if you take care of it by brushing, washing, and styling it, men are sure to notice. Hair also speaks volumes about your personal pride and self-care. 

28. Your personality

Your personality is a set of traits that makes you stand out from the crowd. It’s what makes you different from everyone else. If a man thinks you are unique and interesting, he’s sure to want to get to know you better. 

Whether you’re naturally a fun, playful, and upbeat person, or you’re the more intense, deeper kind of soul, always be true to who you are, the right man will love you just the way you are.

29. Down to earth 

There’s a fine line between being a confident woman and being arrogant. Arrogance is a major turn-off. 

On the contrary, being humble and down to earth is a quality many people look for in potential partners. Being down to earth means you don’t boast about your achievements or qualities, you’re reasonable, friendly, and empathetic towards different people and their lifestyles. 

30. Motivation

If you’re a motivated, ambitious individual you’ll understand that there’s nothing worse than dating someone who’s lazy and unmotivated. 

Sure, you may not love your job. However, there are many things in life you can be passionate, motivated and ambitious about, like your goals, hobbies, and dreams. Motivation and a positive mindset are certainly traits guys find attractive in women. 

Successful relationships require both parties to motivate and encourage each other in their growth. Guys like having someone alongside them who they can grow with. So, find something you’re passionate about that motivates you to get up in the morning. 

31. Having realistic expectations

It’s important to have realistic expectations about what you want out of a relationship and from a partner. The less pressure you put on a relationship to be absolutely perfect, the more chance there is of it succeeding. 

Communicate your wants and needs to your partner and listen to his. Then, set realistic expectations and boundaries together when you first start dating so that no one is disappointed along the line. 

Should You Change to Adapt to Your Boyfriend's Expectations?

There’s a difference between changing who you are to fit another person’s idea of ‘perfect’ and being able to compromise. All relationships require compromise and a certain level of adaptation to expectations. 

However, you should not change who you are or what your goals and values are completely to suit another person. Stay true to who you are and wait for a man who’s aligned with you and your dreams.

FAQs

Is attracting a man only about looks?

No, not at all. Looks are not the only thing guys find appealing, especially not the right kind of guys. Men with substance look further than what’s on the surface. 

Many guys will value a confident woman who knows what she wants and deserves. A woman with ambition who’s down to earth and also has a playful/silly side are also some of the things a guy notices. Furthermore, attracting the right man for you is about being your authentic self.


What kind of girl do guys like most?

All men are different and they all look for different qualities in a girlfriend. However, generally speaking, men look for confident, kind, caring, authentic women who have a good sense of humor and are able to see the positive side of life. 


What do men think about when they like a woman?

This differs from man to man however many men would be thinking about how to best impress their lady and how to keep her for the long run. Some men might even be preoccupied with the thought of how to get her into bed with them. 

Conclusion

From personality traits to physical features, there’s a wide array of qualities that men find attractive in a woman. My advice would be to take what you have or what you’re good at and find ways to amplify those qualities. Don’t try and change who you are completely in order to attract a man. The right guy will be attracted to your authenticity. 

If, however, there are some personality traits you’d like to improve on, the above guide is a good indication of what’s needed in a successful relationship. 

Let us know what you thought of this article by leaving a comment. If you think someone can benefit from reading this guide, give it a share. 

Utilize this tool to verify if he's truly who he claims to be
Whether you're married or just started dating someone, infidelity rates have risen by over 40% in the past 20 years, so your concerns are justified.

Do you want to find out if he's texting other women behind your back? Or if he has an active Tinder or dating profile? Or even worse, if he has a criminal record or is cheating on you?

This tool can help by uncovering hidden social media and dating profiles, photos, criminal records, and much more, potentially putting your doubts to rest.

3 Sources:
  1. Thomas Barbian. (2017). The Skill of Patience, Learning to accept daily frustrations. [Online]. Columbia Metropolitan. Last Updated: June 2017. Available at: (https://columbiametro.com/article/the-skill-of-patience/#:~:text=Patience%20helps%20you%20to%20deve [Accessed 27 March 2023].
  2. Melanie L. Shoup-Knox and R. Nathan Pipitone. (2014). Physiological changes in response to hearing female voices recorded at high fertility. [Online]. ScienceDirect. Last Updated: 14 November 2014. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0031938414005459 [Accessed 27 March 2023].
  3. Unknown. How to become a better listener in your relationships. [Online]. Relationships Australia New South Wales. Last Updated: Unknown. Available at: https://www.relationshipsnsw.org.au/blog/how-to-be-good-listener/#:~:text=Skills%20for%20being%20a%2 [Accessed 27 March 2023].
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