52 Biggest Turn Offs For Women (2024)

Stop racking your brain and complicating your life by looking for new or unique ways to impress a woman.

Dazzling her can be as simple as throwing on a nice shirt, meeting her at a bar and just making the effort to hear about her day.

Keep reading to know about the biggest turn offs for women and more.

Let’s dive right into it.

1. Too Much Talk, Not Enough Action 

Save the flowery language for the birthday cards and don’t make empty promises to a woman if you don’t intend to keep them.

What you say in the moment is what she’ll carry inside her heart. So if the next day, you’re suddenly distant and she realizes that you’re full of big talk but lacking action, she knows it’s time to walk away. 

2. Preoccupation With Making Love 

Yes, women love a good time in bed just as much as men do but it’s not all we think about. So it would be much easier if it wasn’t the only thing on your mind too.

Even if you’re meeting a woman for the sole purpose of a casual affair, a few real compliments and some healthy flirting will only make your chemistry even better.

3. Self Absorbed

Even if you are the best-looking man in the room, she’ll be happy to know that you’re confident in yourself and know it.

However, if the girl finds you bring it up more than once, she’s going to cringe and want to leave the table. I’m sure it goes the same way in a man’s turn-offs list too.

4. Rudeness

This is one of the major turn-offs for women that could potentially make her pull the plug on the whole date.

A bartender, a waiter, or even the guy with the moped cutting you off on the interstate – if you abuse, you lose. 

Women like a guy who can keep his calm in the most difficult situations. She’ll admire and really fall for him. 

5. Insecurity

If you’re not confident about yourself, it’s a huge turn-off. Everyone gets nervous when on a first date, even if you’re confident, but if you’re insecure, you’re putting out much more intense feelings.

You might seem like you don’t deserve happiness, or perhaps you make too many self-deprecating jokes. You may even seem harsh or rude because you’re frustrated with yourself.

Turn Offs For Women
Photo By Brooke Cagle On Unsplash

6. Being Late

Maybe the first time she’ll let it go. If she’s super-nice, she might even ignore how late you are on the second or the third date.

Although, if you make it a habit and start taking her for granted, you are going to blow her top lid off and also completely blow the date you two are on. 

7. Driving Rashly

Take her out for a nice spin although showing off your wheels won’t get you anywhere. She’d probably enjoy a nice relaxing time getting to know you. Not for breaking a hundred traffic rules. 

Make a woman feel safe and cared for, don’t be presumptuous and drive like a demon on the road.

If you want to indeed test your wheels though, She’ll appreciate you asking explicit permission if she’s comfortable with it before you hit the gas harder. 

8. Getting Too Drunk

A woman wants to be with a guy she can trust and feel comfortable with. So the moment you’re too many whiskeys down, your game is beginning to end. 

Making crass remarks, accidentally dropping your glass, losing track of a conversation and other ungracious behaviors are instantly going to make her question why she’s even there.

9. Being Ignored

One of the key ways most women gauge how important they are to their partner is by how much he pays attention to her when expressing her concerns and opinions.

So if you seem disinterested in what she’s saying, or casually dismiss something important to her, she might show you the door.

Also when men show interest at the beginning of a relationship then switch gears as things progress, a woman’s attraction for him often takes a dive.

10. Straight Up Chauvinism

Gender equality has improved a lot over the past decades. It’s an old story, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still men who consider themselves the superior gender.

Some, for example, have a belittling title for every woman. The cashier is “Little lady.” The waitress is “Darling.” And the bartender is “Sweet Cheeks.”

Whatever the chauvinist behavior, it almost never fails to be one of the biggest turn-offs for women.

11. Staring At Other Women

Men who stare at other attractive women or are overly flirtatious with them may find themselves largely on their own. If you’re honest, you know one thing, you don’t like your woman staring at other men.

Simply put, women like men who are respectful enough to pretend they don’t notice the opposite gender (even when they do).

12. Not Helping Out

Most women prefer to share the responsibilities of raising kids and running a household. Since the vast majority of women work outside the home, this is more a necessity than anything else.

So it’s a real turn-off for a woman if a man’s notion of who handles child-rearing and household chores is stuck in the 1950s.

13. Poor Hygiene

Brush your teeth. Shower daily. Wear deodorant. Wash your clothes.

This shouldn’t have to be said, guys. It is a turn-off for women when you can’t take care of even the most minor of adult responsibilities. Taking care of yourself is a necessity and makes you attractive.

14. Poor Grooming Habits

While sweaty athletes and grungy rock stars may initially turn a woman on, getting closer to the body odors that accompany them is another story.

Beyond basic hygiene, women want more. Most men want sleek, gorgeous women, so it’s fair to assume women don’t want men with pot bellies, dirty fingernails, rumpled clothes, disheveled hair, and bad breath, right?

15. Absent Minded

Women love a guy who is present not just physically but also emotionally. Being absent-minded while in conversation with your girlfriend or wife is a huge turn-off for women.

This is tied to the fact that women love quality time, not just quantity but quality. Quality comes with you being present in the moment. 

16. Excessive Jealousy

Even though jealousy is normal for guys it can be a huge turn-off for women if it is in excess. Some women can translate excess jealousy as a lack of trust.

When you want to know all her moves, where she is all time, it might be a huge problem. There is a difference between care and jealousy. 

Related: The 40 Biggest Turn Offs In A Relationship You Should Avoid

17. Control Freak

Like jealousy, anything in excess is toxic. Men who tend to be over-controlling end up causing more harm than good.

A girl will shut down or be turned off when they feel like their man is controlling their every move. Trust builds intimacy – cultivate it. 

18. Going Too Fast

Going too fast and not reading body language properly by moving into an intimate situation without explicit permission is a huge turn-off.

This is different from timing, it involves taking things slow, especially in the matter of intimacy. Asking to sleep with someone on your first date is a big turn-off for most respected women.

Most women will feel used and violated if you think of them as objects. Take things slow and let the relationship build up naturally.

Keep reading further for more turn-offs for women.

What Can Be A Turn-Off For A Girl?

Some of the most common turn-offs for a girl? While I can’t tell you every girl’s personal preference, I can tell you what just about every girl is turned off by.

Here’s the simple truth:

1. Bad Hygiene

Seriously guys, take a shower, use some deodorant, and brush your teeth.

2. Guys With Long Hair

If you can’t rock it, chop it!

3. Too Much Cologne

You don’t need to bathe in it!

4. Too Cocky

You don’t need to show off all the time.

5. Sag In Their Pants

Dress well. Pull up your pants and buy a belt!

6. Player Tendencies

You don’t need to talk up multiple girls at once! One should be enough.

7. Self Absorbed

There is more to the world than just you.

8. Use Cheesy Pick Up Lines

“ Are you from Tennessee? Cause you’re the only ten I see.” Seriously, just no.

9. Overprotective

There’s a difference between being protective and being overprotective, discover it!

10. Immature

Act your age, not your shoe size.

What Are Some Examples Of Turn Offs?

Dating is all about being sensitive and caring, it involves cultivating your partner’s interest and desire.

Here are some examples:

  • No Initiative

Reading a text saying ‘I mean anything is fine, we can do whatever you want’ when she asks you what you want to do together is definitely going to put her off.

A woman wants to see a guy who takes initiative. The moment she feels like she’s the one doing all the work, she’d probably be reassessing why she is even trying so hard in the first place.

  • Disrespect Of Any Kind

“This is my non-negotiable: disrespect. You might think it’s funny to make an inappropriate comment about girls not knowing how to work out at the gym. You might think it’s hilarious to poke fun at our waiter for tripping on the rug. News flash! It’s not.

Honestly, I don’t care what it is, if you disrespect anyone, or disrespect me, you’re cut off. That’s a huge turnoff for me.”

  • Trying To Sleep With Me On The First Date

​​“Unless this is a pre-established one-night-stand or Tinder date, then it really turns me off when a guy tries to sleep with me right away.

I’m pretty clear about my intentions from the get-go, and I tell guys that I’m not into the whole ‘hit it and quit it’ thing…so I feel like it’s pretty reasonable to get mad when you try to get with me after I just said I don’t want to do that. TURN OFF.”

  • Mixed Signals

“I hate when guys are hot and cold. One day we’re up talking all night and the next you don’t text me back? Not only is that annoying, but it’s a total turn-off. Either you’re in or you’re out.”

Mixed Signals
Photo By Jamie On Unsplash

What Is The Number One Turn Off For Women?

Attraction is a very personal thing. What one person might find off-putting, another might find extremely charming.

However, there are some qualities and behaviors that women across the board consider unattractive.

According to experts, the number one turn-off for women is a lack of initiative. Never taking the reins or displaying personal ambition will be hard to overcome.

Women tend to feel that if their partner doesn’t show initiative in one facet of their life, that will likely be the case in other aspects, too.

Most women are looking for a partner to be their equal, so if they find that their significant other is more passive, that could severely affect the dynamic of the relationship.

So, a lack of energy and initiative will result in one partner carrying most, if not all, of the weight in the relationship.

What Are Most Women Turn-Ons?

When it comes to the biggest turn-ons for women, it’s the little things that count. They’re just things that are simple and give the sense that the guy shows caring, compassion, and protection which most men can do.

You might think it’s difficult to turn a woman on, but there are endless ways you can make us melt right into your arms with the smallest of gestures.

  • When you pull us over to your side of the bed in the morning
  • When you tell us you think we’re beautiful
  • When you compliment us on something non-physical
  • When you’re kind to total strangers
  • When you remembered what we told you three weeks ago
  • When you remembered what we told you three weeks ago
  • When you make us laugh

What Turns A Woman Off In A Relationship?

The meaning of a turn-off in a relationship is something your partner does that’s unappealing. Something that causes you to lose interest or desire in the person or an activity.

A turn-off might be caused by your partner’s behavior, words, or even action that makes you feel insecure, embarrassed, or generally makes you shut down.

1. Selfishness 

People in a relationship work as a team to complement each other and work together to grow. So consider recruiting your partner to work on an improved experience with you.

4. Pessimism 

Vibes are infectious. So, if the person you’re seeing looks on the dark side of life, that’s likely to have a negative impact on your mood. Optimism is a turn-on. Pessimism is a huge turn-off. 

5. Put-downs

An extreme form of pessimism is to make your partner feel small. This could arguably extend into emotional abuse. Look for a partner who boosts your confidence, not makes you feel worse about yourself. 

6. Poor Communication

Poor communication can be defined in many different ways. Either way, it’s likely to annoy or turn off your partner over time. 

7. A Short Temper

A short temper is a sign of emotional instability. If you have one, your partner is less likely to feel safe around you. Most likely, it has caused conflicts in the past and will continue to do so until you address it.

8. Dishonesty

Trust is the bedrock of any good partnership. If you’re caught lying to your partner about anything, it’s going to make it harder for them to trust you in the future. 

9. Talking Trash About Exes

Speaking badly about anyone, let alone your ex, behind their back will never make you look like an admirable person.

Your new partner will wonder why you chose to be with this person. They’ll also expect you’ll be talking trash about them if you ever break up, and constantly talking about your ex is a clear sign you’re not truly over them. 

10. Not Making An Effort With Friends And Family 

Most guys and girls in a relationship want their partner to integrate well with important people in their lives. If you’re not making an effort to do that, it communicates you’re not serious about a long-term future with this person.

What Are Turn-Offs For A Girl?

Dating is all about being sensitive and caring, it involves keeping the person interested in you.

To date successfully, identify some of these turn-offs for women as silent red flags that are a potential threat to your connection.

Remember, people are different and these turn-offs will vary depending on the person you’re connected to.

1. Scant Facial Hair

Facial hair has made a big comeback. When it comes to turning on girls though, patchy facial hair typically doesn’t do it for them.

Almost always, they’re gonna prefer a clean-shaven face to get close to than one with patchy facial hair.

2. Greasy Hair

We’re talking about naturally occurring grease that builds up on your hair after not showering.

The amount of grease you accumulate in a day is largely genetic, and unfortunately, it’s something girls will notice when they’re looking at you closely.

3. Ratty Underwear

Reports actually show a surprisingly high number of guys out there appear to be pushing their underwear to the limit and girls are noticing.

Either guys think their underwear isn’t all that bad, or because they think girls just don’t care – they do.

4. Smelling Like A Gym Bag

Girls will let this slide if you’ve been engaged in heavy physical activity. You’ll probably get a pass at least the first few times.

However, if you’re caught repeatedly stinking for no reason, don’t be surprised if she starts asking you to shower before coming over.

5. Dirty Or Untrimmed Nails 

You may not think this is a big deal but a girl almost definitely notices how your nails are looking. They hide bacteria, and worst of all, they scratch.

There may be nothing that kills the mood so swiftly as accidentally snagging your girl with a toenail that’s too long.

List of the 52 biggest turn offs for women continued:

  • 19. Poor Social Acuity
  • 20. Laziness
  • 21. Disrespect For Privacy
  • 22. Jealousy
  • 23. Putting Other People First
  • 24. A Lack Of Authenticity 
  • 25. Immaturity
  • 26. Mismatched Libido
  • 27. A Mismatched Thirst For Adventure
  • 28. Cheating 
  • 29. Over Sensitive Feelings
  • 30. Being Too Touchy
  • 31. Lack Of Manners
  • 32. Over Enthusiastic
  • 33. White Lies
  • 34. Misogyny
  • 35. Being Closed Minded
  • 37. Neediness
  • 38. Being Too Aggressive
  • 39. Going Silent
  • 40. Talk About Making Love
  • 41. Mansplaining
  • 42. Disrespect Towards Her Family Members Or Friends
  • 43. Poor Driving Skills
  • 44. Smoking
  • 45. Poor Self-Confidence
  • 46. Bad Kisser
  • 47. Irresponsible Behaviour
  • 48. Non-Stop Complaining And Whining
  • 49. No Sense Of Personal Boundaries
  • 50. No Goals Or Ambition In Life
  • 51. Constant Use Of Swear Words And Bad Language
  • 52. Bragging About Materialistic Things

If you’re a guy and your relationship is suffering without understanding why, consider these female turn-offs. They’ll give you insight ✅  into how to better attract the right woman.

If you’re a woman whose partner is guilty of any of these turn-offs for women and you don’t know how to confront him, consider leaving this article where he’ll see it.

Or forward this article to a friend ✅  who could benefit.

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About The Author

Bijan Kholghi is a certified life coach with the Milton Erickson Institute Heidelberg (Germany). He helps clients and couples reach breakthroughs in their lives by changing subconscious patterns. His solution-oriented approach is based on Systemic- and Hypnotherapy.

Bijan