Personality Icon Glossary
More Adventurous
Like an archaeologist, this user is driven by the desire to explore. They probably like trying new things, like exotic foods, jumping out of airplanes, or finding new and exciting places to grope.
Less Adventurous
Some people want to swim in rivers deep in the heart of the rain forest. These users are not those people. They’re comfortable with what they have and where they are, and they’re not looking to broaden their horizons too much.
More Aggressive
This user is more aggressive than average. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, if you’re into the go-getter type, as long as you understand they might break down the occasional door while go-getting!
Less Aggressive
These users prefer the fiddle to the drum, as Joni Mitchell might say. You can often find them stepping between two more aggressive specimens, crying “hey, guys, we can settle this in a way that lets everyone keep their teeth!”
More Ambitious
This user knows where he or she is going, and is on the fast-track to get there. They want to climb the ladder, improve their standing, get the fat bonus and the corner office, or whatever the equivalent is in their field, and they’re willing to spend the time necessary to do it.
Less Ambitious
Not everyone is trying to be executive vice-president by the time they’re twenty-two. These users are a little more laid back, willing to trade a speedy climb up the corporate ladder for being able to see their friends, children, and other loved ones once in a while.
More Artistic
Just one more stroke... there... now it belongs to the ages! This user likes to create, with a particular focus on the visual. Oils, pastels, maybe even film or video, the artistic user is all about expressing themselves.
Less Artistic
For every Michelangelo, there must be a Jerry. Who’s Jerry, you ask? Well, like our less artistic users, Jerry is the guy who can do a lot of things well, but when it comes to drawing, painting, songwriting, and the like, it’s like he has ten thumbs and no fingers.
More Athletic
Ah, the athlete. Up at dawn doing situps, compulsively checking their BMI, and doing that thing where they check their pulse without stopping their run, the athletic user loves to work up a sweat.
Less Athletic
Hey, picking up the remote and pushing the buttons is a type of excercise, right? Less athletic users certainly think so. Who can blame them? Getting all covered in sweat and out of breath just for the sake of it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
More Attractive
Disclaimer: this is not a guarantee! Still, from what we know of this user, it seems like they might be pretty hot. This probably means they get a lot of messages. It might also mean that they stole some myspace girl’s “look at my cleavage!” picture.
Less Attractive
If you ever see this icon on someone’s profile, it’s a bug. Because all people are beautiful.
More Charismatic
This user seems to operate with a higher degree of charisma than the average. No, we’re not talking Dungeons and Dragons here... we mean they’re probably a smooth talker, and the kind of person everyone gets along with.
Less Charismatic
For some people, the art of making friends and avoiding enemies can be very difficult. These users have to work harder than most, for one reason or another, to gain a positive reaction from their fellow man. And woman. Aaaand probably dogs.
More Cocky
Did you know that cocky people make 118% more money than their non-cocky equivalents? Did you know that we just made that statistic up? We’re like that. We know we’re good and we’re not afraid to show it by just making shit up. Call us cocky if you want!
Less Cocky
Less cocky users have distinct advantages, but they’re not one to brag about them. Just watch out for those who swing too far in this direction and become annoyingly overmodest.
More Compassionate
Much like nurses, the unheralded heroes of our modern hospital system, compassionate users are filled with caring for all living things. Unlike nurses, they probably won’t jam pointy things into you or demand to know your weight every time they see you.
Less Compassionate
Oh, sure, you think this is a negative, but you’ll think back on us later, when you’re dating a user that can’t watch a “hungry children” commercial without bursting into hysterical tears, and wish you’d gone for someone less compassionate!
More Competitive
This is the type of user who will bet on anything, for any reason, at any time, not because they have a gambling problem but because dammit, they love the thrill of competition (and of winning). Chris Coyne is very, very competitive.
Less Competitive
Con: dating a less competitive user practically guarantees you’ll never see them make a million dollars endorsing Gatorade. Pro: dating a less competitive user practically guarantees you’ll never see them try to jam sixty hotdogs down their throat in twelve minutes!
More Cool
Like Fonzy compared to Richie, these users are just cooler than average. Of course, the tradeoff is that a lot of the time, those who are cool know they’re cool. This icon gets paired up with cockiness pretty often.
Less Cool
Not everyone can be cool, and that’s not such a bad thing. These users are regular human beings—they get nervous, they fumble their words, they make bad jokes. It’s endearing. It’s just... not cool.
More Creative
This user likes to make stuff. Painting, writing, creating music or cooking - all of these actions and many more are creative. These users tend to have a lot of hobbies... or one big obsession.
Less Creative
You’ve heard the expression “think outside the box,” right? Well, these users built the box. And they probably did it while following a detailed set of instructions, to the letter, to ensure they built it properly.
More Dominant
In a sexual sense, this person is dominant. Dominance comes in a lot of forms, and is not strictly a sexual term. But apparently that’s not true on OkCupid. This person is controlling in the bedroom whereever they’ve taken you.
More Submissive
Submissive... in a sexy way. “Yes, master.” Yes, faster.
More Dorky
Dork. Geek. Nerd. Not quite the same thing (as the popular test shows), but close enough for this badge. These users are, well, dorky, and most of them are proud of it! Admit it: there’s a little dork in everyone, even you!
Less Dorky
Some users can’t name all the minor characters from Star Wars, or type at eighty words per minute. In fact, they may not even like shows like Heroes or Battlestar Galactica. Remember, they’re not just not-dorks, they’re less dorky than the average.
More Into Drugs
These users inhale, or at least they used to. They’ve crossed that fine line between cigarettes/booze and, shall we say, other recreational substances. Whoooaaaah, dude... look at the COLORS!
Less Into Drugs
These users are on the far side of the spectrum from the class pothead. They’re the ones who don’t like to use aspirin, if they can avoid it, let alone voluntarily taking something that impacts their mind.
More Energetic
Are you guys just gonna sit on the couch watching reality tv all day?! There’s a world to explore, a house to clean, games to be played ... let’s just get up and do something!
Less Energetic
These users are not particularly peppy. They prefer sedentary activities like chess or playing video games, rather than mountain climbing. They’re also less likely to bounce around the room like they’re on a non-stop sugar-high, which is a big plus for some.
More Economically Free
These users believe that the economy needs little regulation, and that everyone should be free to make as much money as they can, without a lot of interference from the government. They typically favor low taxes and few restrictions on corporations.
Less Economically Free
These users tend to believe that man is responsible for his fellow man and, as such, are supportive of things like additional tax to help feed the hungry, educate the uneducated, or otherwise better someone else’s life.
More Socially Free
Socially free users believe people should be allowed to do what they want, within reason. Are you gay and want to get married? A nudist? Anti-war? Addicted to your local health-food store’s organic soy-granola-fiber chunklets? You’d probably get along well with these users.
Less Socially Free
These users aren’t particularly concerned with catering to society’s fringe elements. They’d rather establish a norm and reward those who adhere to it, tending towards conservatism, family values, and the like.
More Friendly
These users like everyone, even that jerk in cubicle four who’s always stealing your pens! They seem to find the good side no matter what, and at office parties they bounce from person to person, smiling and chatting.
Less Friendly
Often quiet and withdrawn, these users are often mistaken for being aloof or cold. The truth, sometimes, is simply that they are less outgoing and gregarious than average. They may take longer to develop friendships, but often these friendships are much stronger than average.
More Giving
Oh, no, please... you take it. I insist! This type of user has filled out their organ donor card, makes homemade cookies for six hundred people during the holidays, and donates to several charities.
Less Giving
Sure they give a shit about you. They just don’t give two shits. These users are not as concerned with the welfare of others as the average populace. It may take outstanding service from a waitress, for example, to earn a thank you or tip.
More Good
While you were hanging out with your hoodlum friends on the corner, intimidating passerby, this user was helping old ladies cross the street. The kind of user your mother wishes you were more like!
Less Good
Some people are good, and some people are not so good. Most people are somewhere in the middle, and while these users aren’t necessarily evil, they still skew lower than most. Maybe they cheat on their taxes. OkCupid isn’t here to judge, just to quantify.
More Greedy
Mine. Mine! MINE! This user wants it all for themselves. This is not the most popular personality trait, but think of it this way: if you’re a giver, and you’re dating someone greedy, the potential reciprocity is overwhelming!
Less Greedy
No, please... it doesn’t matter that I haven’t eaten in two days. You take the last piece of cake. I insist! This user, and others like him, are less greedy than average; they’re willing to give up much for others, sometimes at serious expense to themselves.
More Independent
Independent users, like the little bird over there, don’t want to be caged. They need their space, their freedom, their time to do their own things without interruption. Set them free, and if they come back, you’ll have them forever!
Less Independent
Being alone isn’t a positive experience, for this user. They’re more comfortable around others, drawing on them for help, advice, and companionship. This doesn’t mean they’re weak, necessarily. Maybe they’re just afraid of ghosts!
More Indie
These users know all the coolest dive bars, the best underground bands, and are often on the cutting edge of ironic, hipster, or other trendily anti-trendy fashions. If your band has sold more than two hundred CDs, they may already have dismissed you as a sell-out.
Less Indie
These people steer more towards the mainstream than most. Users of this type tend to shop only at big-box stores, listen only to top 40 music, and generally steer clear of small, underground clubs and bars. They don’t care whether their favorite band has sold out or not.
More Mathematically Inclined
You know how some people take twenty minutes puzzling over the tip on their restaurant bill, and other people can tell you with a glance not only what it should be, but exactly how much everyone owes? These users are those latter people.
Less Mathematically Inclined
Many a great writer or painter has been completely hopeless with even the most basic mathematics. These users fall into that group (although not all of them are particularly great writers or painters, either)! The pocket calculator is a life-saver, here.
More Verbally Inclined
These users know what a gerund is, and how it’s used. They can’t stand dangling participles, and misuse of there/their/they’re makes them cringe. You either are this user, or you’re (your/youre) probably annoyed by them!
Less Verbally Inclined
These users are likely to think that a dangling participle is some kind of sexual term. They’re not terribly interested in making sure that the things they write are well-formed, spelled correctly, or even particularly comprehensible.
More Introverted
These users like peace, quiet, and space. Large crowds make them uncomfortable, and after a prolonged social situation (which they often spend huddled in a corner), they usually need to be left alone for a while to ’recharge their batteries.’
More Extroverted
This person loves talking to strangers and being the life of the party. Never happy home on a Friday night. Why be alone when you can team up with someone new?
More Kinky
This is the kind of user where, when you’re spending a night in with them (if you know what we mean), and you suggest a pair of handcuffs, they ask if you want police issue, or fur-lined.
Less Kinky
“You know, the other night my wife and I did something crazy in bed... we decided to take off all of our clothes and make love without keeping ourselves separated by a sheet with a hole in it! We’re... what, that doesn’t sound kinky to you? Pervert!’
More Lawful
These users believe in the law, and do their best to follow it as often and as to-the-letter as they can. You’re unlikely, for example, to see a “drugs” badge on the same profile as a “lawful” badge.
Less Lawful
Users of this type have a hard time treating the law with any real respect. They’re not necessarily axe-murderers—they can still have morals. They just trust their own sense of right and wrong more than The Man’s.
More Life Experience
They’ve seen it all, and done most of it. These users have lived an interesting life full of a wide variety of activities. They’ve probably been educated in school, on the street, and in-between, and have lots of knowledge to share.
Less Life Experience
I was born in a small town... Due to age, location, luck of the draw or other factors, these users just haven’t experienced as much as the average person. Don’t hold it against them—many would be happy to have their horizons broadened!
More Literary
More apt to quote from a novel than a television show, happier curling up with a good book than hitting a dance club, literary users are devoted students of the printed word. They read a lot, and probably at least dabble in writing.
Less Literary
Who needs to read Lord of the Rings when there are three perfectly good movies you could go see? This user’s line of thinking is that if God had meant us to read, he wouldn’t have given us HD-DVD and gigantic flatscreens.
More Lonely
Some people are just lonely, either by choice or by circumstance. In the former case, they’ve probably dedicated themselves to a life of deep sighs and black eyeliner. In the latter, they probably just need someone to talk to!
Less Lonely
These users are practically mobbed with friends, family, and loved ones. One thing you can be absolutely sure of: you won’t be entering one of those relationships where the other person becomes entirely dependent on you for companionship.
More Experienced in Love
Generally a little older than the average user and a whole lot wiser on matters of love, these folks know what it’s like to feel a deep and personal bond with someone. They often have an excellent idea of exactly what they’re looking for.
Less Experienced in Love
They may or may not have had a lot of casual relationships—this category can cover either type of user—but one thing they all share in common is that they’ve not yet had the kind of fulfilling, deep, loving relationship that poets write about.
More Desiring of Love
Some people want a friend, some people want sex... these users want a soul mate. They want to be in love, to feel that deep connection with a person, to share themselves completely. Are you Mr. or Mrs. Right?
Less Desiring of Love
To sum up this category, we will quote liberally from one of the country’s great scribes, rapper 50 Cent: “I’m into having sex, I ain’t into making love. So come give me a hug, if you into to getting rubbed.” — poetry. Pure poetry.
More Old-Fashioned
This user is still lamenting the death of the rotary phone, the 45 record, and sodas from the corner drugstore. These modern, newfangled whozamawhatchits with the internetwork and the iPodamaphones, and such? Confusing!
Less Old-Fashioned
People sometimes mistake this category of user for those who are obsessed with owning all the latest gadgets, but often they are simply more progressive in their ideals and beliefs. They look at the "Good Old Days" and see a dusty, archaic, unappealing world.
More Optimistic
“Don’t worry,” this user might say to you. “Sure, your house burned down, your dog ran off, your wife left you for the post-man, and you’re being audited by the IRS, but at least you’ve got your health!”
Less Optimistic
The glass is half-empty, the silver lining always conceals a dark cloud, and we’re all going to die anyway. Welcome to pessimism-ville, home of this user and many like them. These people see the down-side to everything, and often can’t resist pointing it out.
More of a Planner
Like the image implies, this user is probably a big fan of checklists. They like to have a plan, whether they’re taking a sunday drive to the beach, or launching a rocket to the far reaches of the galaxy.
Less of a Planner
These users fly by the seat of their pants, operating predominantly on instinct and adapting on the fly to life occurrences. For some this is enviable, but for those who plan, it’s a truly horrifying way to live!
More Political
They may be liberal, conservative, republican, democratic, communists, libertarians, neo-fascists, old-school facists, socialists, or of any other political bent you can think of. Point is: these users care deeply about politics.
Less Political
You’ve probably met this type of user. They’re the ones who, when you ask them if they voted, didn’t even know an election was happening. They rarely have any defined stance on "the issues" and would be hard-pressed to tell you what the issues even are.
More Pure
Like the whitest dove, flying high in a cloud-free sky, these users are as pure as they can be. They probably don’t drink. They probably don’t smoke. They probably don’t breathe the air in LA.
Less Pure
Some people treat their body like a pristine temple. Other people treat it like the dumpster at the local McDonald’s. These people probably eat poorly, probably drink frequently, and may well do or have done drugs. In other words, they can be a lot of fun to hang out with.
More Radcliffy
We founders of OkCupid all went to Harvard. It wasn’t so bad, but it is your concern that these users all remind us of girls from Harvard. No, we won’t say exactly what that means. But maybe you can find a pattern.
Less Radcliffy
Unlike their Radcliffy counterparts, these folks exhibit traits that are much less like Harvard girls than the norm. Once again, we’re not telling what exact traits we’re talking about. You’ll just have to survey Harvard girls and figure it out!
More Republican
The GOP. Users who are more republican tend to favor economically permissive, socially restrictive politics. They’re often more wealthy and more religious than the average user. Note this is a relative measure, so being more republican just means you’re more republican than people your age and gender in your area.
Less Republican
These users are generally more supportive of individual-over-state policies. They’re more likely to be pro-choice, believe in the separation of church and state, favor the legalization of gay marriage, and in general hold more liberal beliefs. Note this is a comparison to average for their age, gender, and location, and it’s not a claim they’re in that party.
More Romantic
On a date, these users are more likely to surprise you with roses, candy, and a candle-lit dinner. They’re less likely to pound a few beers, bring you to a belching contest, and then finish up the evening at the demolition derby.
Less Romantic
Not everyone’s into flowers, chick flicks, and quiet candlelit nights. This type of user thinks that most of the traditional trappings of romance are stupid, useless, or both. Users in this category often score high in science, logic, and unemotional ratings.
More Scientific
Unlikely to believe in astrology or be particularly religious, these users are devoted to the hard sciences. Ask yourself this: is the spark of human consciousness a gift from the divine, or a patterned sequence of firing neurons?
Less Scientific
This user doesn’t care much for your “protons” and your “magnetism” and your “digestive system”... the sciences aren’t very interesting to them. They may base their lives more on faith, or instinct, or blind luck.
More Confident
Don’t worry guys, I got this one. Whether it’s in business, love, or just playing a board game with friends, these users are pretty sure they’ve got what it takes to succeed. Just enough self-confidence is a blessing. Too much can be a turn-off.
Less Confident
Most everyone in the world has areas in which they are unsure of themselves, and these users have more even than the average. This can get frustrating at times, but it can also be very rewarding to help them overcome this problem!
More Seriousness
You know this type. They’re not always the most appreciative of a well-developed (read: incredibly juvenile) sense of humor. Of course, you’re less likely to get body-cavity searched while crossing the border if you let them do the talking.
Less Seriousness
These users tend to believe that life is inherently funny, and taking it too seriously is a waste of time. Go with the flow, have a few laughs, and for god’s sake don’t worry so much!
More Desiring of Sex
You remember those people mentioned earlier who really want love? These are the ones who mostly want a warm body under the sheets with them. This doesn’t inherently mean they want a lot of partners, mind you. Just that they’re voracious!
Less Desiring of Sex
This person’s happiness is less dependent on sex.
More Experienced in Sex
These users have either had more sex partners than average or just done more.
Less Experienced in Sex
Instead of viewing this as a negative, think of it this way: people with less sex experience tend to be excellent learners and very willing to try all kinds of new, naughty things. What’s more fun than corrupting someone, anyway?
More Sloppy
Did you ever have a friend, roomate, or sibling whose room looked like a tornado had just hit it, even after they cleaned it up? Then you’ve run into one of these users.
Less Sloppy
This is the kind of user where if you visit their house, all of the pictures are perfectly straight, all of the surfaces are cleaned and dusted, and there’s not a single errant item not in its place.
More Spiritual
Spirituality is not the same thing as religion, although most users with strong faith in religion are also spiritual. These folks are very in touch with the non-physical world.
Less Spiritual
For some people, the non-physical world is a vast cornucopia of unexplored and unexplained phenomena. For others, it’s a disinteresting gray void. These users fall into the latter category. They rarely have much use for religion, organized or not.
More Spontaneous
Everybody knows a person who will do things like deciding on a whim to pack up a suitcase and go on a six-week road trip. Some people envy these users. Other people just think these users are crazy. Both viewpoints are valid.
Less Spontaneous
Users who score high in planning also tend to be less spontaneous. They’re not really into spur-of-the-moment decisions, but would rather figure out a plan of attack and stick to it. Most likely to be seen holding a map.
Less Emotional
This is the type of person who explains that killing Bambi’s mom probably helped to curb rampant deer overpopulation. Users who are less emotional (more robotic) are into logic and facts. Like Mr. Spock.
More Emotional
Have you ever seen someone switch at breakneck speed between giddy and enraged? It’s kind of like watching one of those slow-motion lion chases on a nature show: scary, disturbing, gag-inducing... but pretty intriguing!
More Thrifty
These users truly understand that a penny saved is a penny earned, as is a penny scraped with dilligence from the heat-scorched tar of the local supermarket parking lot!
Less Thrifty
You can’t take it with you is the motto these users like to follow, and there’s sometimes value to that. They spend their cash on things that make them happy now, and worry less about saving and sacrificing.
More Trusting
More willing to put their faith in others than most, these users open themselves to the risk of abuse rather than become dry, dead husks of faithless humanity... like the rest of us.
Less Trusting
Some are reticent to put their faith in others. Perhaps they were victims of a bad family dynamic during childhood, or perhaps they had a lover cheat on them. You’ll have to work to earn their trust.
More Violent
These users aren’t necessarily more likely to beat you up. Rather, this category covers a wide range: from people who are more supportive of war, hunting, and street justice, to those who think spanking is an acceptable punishment.
Less Violent
One of the more popular “less” categories, less violent users are very mellow indeed. Most average people have the occasional violent moment—slamming a door for example. These folks sit down with the door, and try to talk through their issues.
More Wealthy
Money. Bling. MAD CASH, Y’ALL. These users have got the greenbacks, and are living the life that being more wealthy than most allows them. Often besieged by gold-diggers, these users may seek out others of their kind.
Less Wealthy
Straight broke, y’all. When it comes to cash, some people got it, and some people don’t. These users are, for one reason or another, not swimming in money. Perhaps they’re in law school? Promise of wealth goes with the ambition, aggression, and planning badges—so watch for those.
More Well-Mannered
More likely to hold the door, more likely to say "excuse me," and more likely to keep their elbows off the table, these users understand the value of good manners.
Less Well-Mannered
When you go out on a date with this user, and they fail to hold the door open for you, call the waiter “you there” and then shove six old women down the stairs on the way to the movie theater... don’t say we didn’t warn you!
