In short
BBW stands for 'big beautiful woman'. In dating, it describes a plus-size or curvy woman, and many women use it about themselves with pride. Others prefer 'curvy', 'plus-size' or 'fat'. On Meet Naughty BBWs the simple rule is to use the word the person you're talking to uses, and never to open a conversation with it.
| BBW | Big beautiful woman |
|---|---|
| SSBBW | Super-size big beautiful woman |
| BHM | Big handsome man |
| Admirer | Someone attracted to bigger bodies |
| Golden rule | Use the word she uses |
BBW: the short version
BBW stands for "big beautiful woman". In dating, it means a plus-size or larger woman, and the "beautiful" is the point. It's a description many women have chosen for themselves, to say that being big and being attractive aren't opposites.
It's also a search term and a category, which is where things get complicated. The same three letters can be a proud self-description in one profile and a reductive label in a stranger's message. The word hasn't changed; who's using it, and how, has.
Where the word comes from, and why it caught on
BBW started as a compliment and a bit of a protest: a way of saying big women are beautiful at a time when fashion and media rarely said so. It sits alongside the wider fat-acceptance and body-positivity movements, which push back against the idea that a larger body is something to fix before you're allowed to enjoy life.
Those movements go back decades. In the US, the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA), a fat-rights organisation working to end discrimination based on body size, was established in 1969. In dating, the shorthand stuck because it's quick and widely understood: three letters tell someone what you look like and that you're proud of it.
Who uses it, and who doesn't
Lots of plus-size women use BBW happily. It's short, it's warm, and it's widely understood in dating. Some put it in their profile headline because it saves explaining and filters for people who are already keen.
Others don't like it. Some find it too tied to porn categories; some feel it turns them into a type; some just think it's a bit dated. They might describe themselves as curvy, plus-size, full-figured, voluptuous or fat. None of these is the "correct" one.
That's why the simplest rule works best: use the word she uses. If her profile says curvy, say curvy. If she calls herself a BBW, you can too. If she hasn't used any word at all, you don't need one either.
The terms you'll come across
Most of these words are descriptions people choose for themselves. The table gives the usual meaning; the right column is the bit that matters in practice.
| Term | What it usually means | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| BBW | Big beautiful woman | Widely used and often chosen proudly |
| SSBBW | Super-size big beautiful woman | Used for very large bodies; some women embrace it, others find it clinical |
| Curvy | Fuller figure, sometimes hourglass | Broad and friendly; used across many sizes |
| Plus-size | Larger than standard clothing sizes | Comes from fashion; neutral and practical |
| Full-figured, voluptuous | A fuller, rounded shape | Softer, slightly old-fashioned; some love them |
| Fat | Simply, a fat body | Many use it as a neutral or reclaimed word; let them lead |
| BHM | Big handsome man | The rough male equivalent of BBW |
| Admirer | Someone attracted to bigger bodies | The polite, common term on curvy dating sites |
Words to leave alone
Other labels exist, and some come from fetish communities rather than dating. If a word sounds like it's describing an animal, a food or a joke, don't use it about a person you'd like to date. "Chubby chaser" is one many plus-size women dislike, because it frames them as something to be chased rather than someone to get to know. Terms about weight gain or feeding are fetishes, not compliments, and they have no place in a first conversation.
When BBW lands well, and when it doesn't
Context does most of the work. The word lands well when she's chosen it and the message is about her; it lands badly when it's doing the job of a greeting or a personality.
It lands well when:
- She's used it herself.
- It's part of a wider, warm message about her as a person.
- You're both clearly flirting and comfortable with the way you talk about each other.
It lands badly when:
- It's the first word of your first message. ("Hi BBW" is not a greeting.)
- It's used as if it were her name or her whole personality.
- It comes with a qualifier: "cute for a BBW" is still an insult.
- It's followed straight away by questions about weight or measurements.
If you're unsure, leave it out. Nobody's ever been put off by a message that asks about their favourite holiday instead. Our guide to fetishising messages has more on the openers that don't work and why.
For admirers: showing interest without making it about size
Being attracted to bigger bodies is fine; leading with it isn't. Talk to her the way you'd talk to anyone you fancy, and let her body come up when she brings it up.
| Instead of this (example) | Try this (example) |
|---|---|
| "Hey BBW, love a big girl" | "Your photo at the beach made me smile. Is that somewhere near you?" |
| "What size are you?" | "You said you love live music. Who was the last band you saw?" |
| "Send more pics" | "I'd like to hear more about the bakery you mentioned. Is that a hobby or a job?" |
These are examples, not scripts. The point is that the right-hand messages are about her life, and they give her something easy to reply to. If she then tells you she's proud to be a BBW, you can tell her you think she's gorgeous. That's a compliment, not a category.
If you're a plus-size woman choosing your words
You get to decide how you describe yourself, and you can change your mind. Some practical thoughts:
- Using BBW in your profile is a quick signal that you want people who are into bigger bodies, which can save time. It may also attract more people who see you mainly as a category, so pair it with a few lines about what you're like.
- Using "curvy" or "plus-size" tends to be read as softer and broader. You'll still get admirers; you'll probably get fewer three-word openers.
- Using no label at all is also fine. Your full-length photos already show your shape. Your words can go on your humour, your interests and what you're after.
An example of a line that names what you want without making your size the headline: "Curvy, loud laugh, terrible at pub quizzes. Looking for someone who likes all three." Our body-confidence guide goes into photos and profile writing in more detail.
Why this site uses the word
Meet Naughty BBWs uses BBW in its name because it's the word many women search for and many proudly use. But the site is written for plus-size and curvy women first, as people, not as a category. Admirers are welcome when they treat the women they meet as equals, and size-first openers aren't. You can read more about who the site is for in how Meet Naughty BBWs works and about us, and before meeting anyone, run through the safety checklist.
Questions people ask
Is BBW an insult?
Not in itself. Many women choose it proudly, and it was meant as a compliment: the 'beautiful' is the point. It can feel reductive when a stranger uses it as a label or an opening line, so let the person you're talking to lead, and use her word rather than yours.
What's the difference between BBW and curvy?
There's no official line. 'Curvy' is often used for an hourglass or fuller figure of almost any size, while BBW usually means a larger body. People pick whichever feels like them, and some use both. If you're unsure which one someone prefers, look at their profile.
Is there a word for plus-size men?
BHM, short for 'big handsome man', is the most common one in dating. As with BBW, some men like it and some don't. 'Big guy', 'bear' and 'plus-size' are also used, so take your cue from how he describes himself.
Can I call myself fat?
Of course. Many people use 'fat' as a plain, neutral description, and some use it deliberately to take the sting out of it. Others would rather you didn't use it about them. Describing yourself is your call; describing someone else is theirs.
What does SSBBW mean?
SSBBW stands for 'super-size big beautiful woman' and is used for very large bodies. Some women embrace it because it's precise; others find it clinical. As with every term on this page, it belongs in a conversation only once she's used it herself.
Is it OK to say I'm attracted to BBWs?
Yes, if you say it as part of a wider picture of what you like in a person. Being drawn to bigger bodies is a preference, like any other. It turns into a problem when it's the only thing you talk about, or when you open with it.
Keep reading
- Is Meet Naughty BBWs legit?Who runs it, what you pay for, what's checked, and the honest caveats.
- A safety checklist before you meet someoneWhat to check while chatting, before the date, on the night and afterwards, with example messages and where to report.
- Body confidence comes from good dates, not pep talksPractical confidence for plus-size dating: honest photos, a profile about you, and first dates where you can relax.
- Fetishising messages: how to spot them and shut them downSpot the messages that treat you as a type, end them quickly, and know when to report.
Sources
Checked 18 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.