From Loyal to Lazy: Survey Pinpoints the One Word Women Use to Describe Men By State

How would you describe the men in your state? What character traits do they possess that make them attractive or unattractive? This is the question we posed to women nationwide. And the results were eye-opening. 

Women from every state came out to say which characteristics they valued in a man they would potentially date, and also which of these personality traits they believed the men of their region actually possessed.

People writing online dating profiles are often limited by a certain number of characters or words to describe themselves. But what if only one word were used? And if the men of America could be defined by one simple word, what would that be? Here’s what 3,000 women in the country think:

Top Terms | By State | Survey Highlights | Methodology

We’ll begin by ranking the 10 most popular terms that women used to describe men.

1. The Most Common Term in 6 States: “Hardworking“

In first place, women across the United States think that the majority of men can be accurately described as “hardworking.”

Rather than placing stock in personal charm (rizz?), looks, or even kindness, women prefer men who work hard to provide for their families. Whether working on Wall Street or grinding away in a blue-collar profession like construction or plumbing, many of America’s men show that they aren’t afraid to put in the effort. 

Hardworking men are typically dedicated, determined, and loyal by nature – which, according to our study, are some of the other traits that women look for in a potential partner. 

Beyond the workplace, these hardworking traits can shine through in a man’s attitude at home and how he helps with tasks like DIY home improvements, gardening, or taking care of finances and children.

2. Men Are “Respectful” in Alabama, Rhode Island, Hawaii, Iowa, & Nebraska

In today’s dating world, respect is something many women say they are looking for from a man. 

Thankfully, our study shows that many women describe the men of their state as respectful. Respect can be seen in simple acts of chivalry on a first date, how questions are asked when dating online, or what’s said when interacting with friends. 

At the end of the day, women just want to be treated with respect. 

3. Illinois and Oklahoma Men Are Called “Charming“

Although occasionally used with a negative connotation (particularly when coupled with arrogance), women say that many American men exude a certain charm. 

A certain type of confidence can attract a woman to a man in the dating scene.

Sometimes a charming personality makes him the life and soul of a party, or gives him the ability to make her feel special. 

Women seem to value a man who is charming. Perhaps it’s about finding a Cinderella story with a long-held hope of meeting a Prince Charming to sweep them off their feet. 

Some advice for you charmers out there: the small acts of buying chocolates and flowers for your partner certainly still have their place. 

4. “Ambitious” Came Up Often, But Wasn’t Number 1 in Any State

Women also describe men in America as ambitious. Many women like to be with a partner who has strong career and life goals and are confident about fulfilling these. 

These ambitions could also translate into the future plans that women have for themselves. As a couple, they could work together to hit certain career or financial goals. Perhaps they plan to take their love in a specific direction – be it building a family or traveling the world. 

Although ambition is a trait many women seek in the men they partner with, an overly ambitious man could end up putting his own wants and needs before those of his partner.

5. Men in West Virginia Are Known As “Loyal” 

It comes as no surprise that loyalty is a strongly valued trait in a partner. According to the women surveyed, the men of America are hitting the mark when it comes to showing loyalty. 

Women want to know from the get-go that their potential lover is going to remain faithful to them. They want to know that they can rely on their partner and trust them in what they say and do. 

Women also like to know that their men have their backs and stand up for them when they are not around, making decisions that are in their best interest.

6. “Unpredictable” Describes the Men of Oregon

Interestingly, women in many states describe the men they date as unpredictable. Perhaps this is something that comes from the online dating world, where real-life personalities often fail to live up to their online personas. 

While being “predictable” isn’t exactly a compliment, it’s better for dating purposes than being “unpredictable.”

This unpredictability can make trying to find a partner a challenging and frustrating journey as women struggle to determine where exactly they stand and what their future prospects are in their relationships. 

On the other hand, there can be a certain thrill and excitement that comes with dating someone where you never know what’s going to happen next. 

7. Good Ol’ Idaho Men Are “Dependable“

On the flip side of the coin, many women also describe the men in their state as dependable. The opposite of the unpredictable men described above, dependable men can be relied on to do what they say they are going to do when they say they are going to do it.

The only hope is that this dependability doesn’t translate into men being boring and showing no level of spontaneity or surprise in their relationships.

8. North Dakota Men Are Labeled “Generous”

Another term that women use to describe men is generous. Women like men who can provide for their families. Even if women are capable of providing for themselves, generosity is always appreciated. This could be paying for the meal on a date or giving a partner gifts. 

Conversely, there’s no bigger turn-off than a man who is stingy with his money. This generosity could also translate to other areas of a man’s life, with women valuing men who give freely of their time and affection.

9. Washington Men Are Just Plain “Kind” 

Women of America also think that the men of their country could be described as kind. A simple but meaningful adjective.

Women value the acts of kindness shown by their partners.

There is a level of emotional intelligence shown through kindness. And that makes navigating the challenges of daily life just that much easier and happier. 

10. Georgia and Pennsylvania Men Have Been Termed “Immature“

Unfortunately, the final adjective on this list isn’t a positive one. Many American women think that men exhibit a certain level of immaturity. This could be an immaturity in the way that they handle relationships or just generally how they go about their daily lives. 

Each state has its own distinctive flavor, and the women describe men in their state in all sorts of ways. Here’s the full list:

The survey delved into deeper nuances of women’s perceptions about men and dating. Most women (69%) said they’d never ended a relationship or avoided dating someone because of their regional background.

And 75% of respondents said they believe that men from certain states or regions are no different from each other when it comes to dating and relationships.

Women did, however, express a desire for meaningful connections. They seem to be seeking partners who exhibit humor, ambition, and emotional intelligence.

When asked which trait women would want to change about men from their state, they gave clear answers:

• Communication Style: 30%
• Level of Ambition: 24%
• Sense of Humor: 18%
• Approach to Relationships: 17%
• Emotional Availability: 11%

Our survey shows that women’s opinions on men in the dating scene do vary considerably across the country. 

Overwhelmingly, however, the words women use to describe men are positive. While bad dating experiences do dominate the headlines, this is not necessarily an accurate reflection of dating scenes across the country, as demonstrated by 3,000 respondents.

Online panel survey of 3,000 women based on age (18+), gender (female), and geography (United States). Internal data sources are used to obtain population data sets. We used a two-step process to ensure representativeness through stratified sampling and post-stratification weighting. Survey conducted in September 2024.