The words, explained kindly
What Does BBW Mean? A Friendly Guide to the Terms
BBW, SSBBW, BHM, curvy, chubby and more, and how people use them on dating profiles.
BBW Stands for Big Beautiful Woman
BBW means big beautiful woman. It describes a plus size woman who is proud of her figure, and it is used warmly in dating, where BBW dating means bringing together bigger women and the people who find them attractive. The point of the phrase is the second B: beautiful is not something a big woman has to earn by losing weight.
The term grew out of the size-acceptance movement in the United States in the late twentieth century, and it has been part of the plus size dating world ever since. Today you will see it on dating profiles, in social media hashtags and on sites like ours. Because it is also used in adult content, a few people find it too loaded, and prefer curvy or plus size. That is entirely up to them.
The Terms You Will See on Dating Profiles
- BBW
- Big beautiful woman. The broadest and most common term in plus size dating.
- SSBBW
- Super size big beautiful woman. Used by women at the larger end of the plus size range, and searched for by admirers who prefer that shape.
- BBBW
- Big black beautiful woman. Used by Black plus size women who want to name both parts of who they are.
- BHM
- Big handsome man. The male counterpart of BBW. See BHM dating.
- Curvy
- A fuller figure with a defined waist, the classic hourglass. Many women of every size describe themselves this way.
- Chubby
- Softer and rounder all over. A friendly word for many people, and the root of chubby dating.
- Plus size
- Originally a clothing term, roughly UK size 16 and up, now the everyday phrase. See plus size dating.
- Voluptuous
- Generously curved, usually with a fuller bust and hips. A romantic, flattering word.
- Cuddly and plump
- Gentle words for a soft figure, often chosen by people who find the others too clinical.
- Admirer
- Someone who prefers bigger partners. The polite term for what is sometimes called a chubby chaser or fat admirer.
Curvy, Chubby or Plus Size: What Is the Difference?
The honest answer is that it depends on who is saying it. Broadly, curvy describes shape, chubby describes softness, and plus size describes clothing size. A size 18 woman with a small waist might call herself curvy; a size 14 woman with a soft tummy might say chubby; both might shop in plus size ranges. On a dating site, people use the word that feels most like them, and admirers search for the words they love.
One trap to avoid: on some mainstream dating apps, "curvy" is used to mean slim with a big bust, which can cause confusion. On a plus size dating site like Curvy Dates, curvy means what most women mean by it, a fuller figure with curves.
Which Word Should You Use on Your Profile?
Pick the one you would be happy to hear on a first date. If you love BBW, use it. If you prefer curvy or plus size, use those. On Curvy Dates you can tick several, BBW, SSBBW, BBBW, BHM, curvy and plus sized among them, both to describe yourself and to say what you are looking for. The matching takes them into account, so being specific helps the right people find you. Our profile tips show how to put it naturally.
If you are an admirer, the golden rule is to use the word she uses. If her profile says curvy, do not open with BBW. If she says SSBBW, she has chosen it with pride. Our guide to dating a plus size woman has more on getting it right.
BBW Questions
What Does BBW Stand for?
BBW stands for big beautiful woman, a plus size woman who is proud of her figure.
Is BBW Offensive?
Not in itself. Many women use it proudly, though some prefer curvy or plus size. Use the word a person uses about herself.
What Does SSBBW Mean?
Super size big beautiful woman, used by women at the larger end of the plus size range.
What Does BHM Mean?
Big handsome man, the male equivalent of BBW.
What Does Curvy Mean on a Dating Site?
Usually a fuller figure with a defined waist. On general apps it is sometimes used more loosely, so read the rest of the profile and the photos too.