my friends and i usually use this classification and it works for either gender
sexy- is like someone who is hot and makes u go mmmmmmmmm, while thinking about doing them right here right now.. but sexy can also define personality. like someone that is hot but also has a great personality which makes em sexy... usually sexy has to involve hotness ;p
hot- someone hot refers to their image and the idea that it can be based on lust. its all about looks.. usually they rnt pretty boi looks, more like rugged, trimmed body, gorgeous face kinda looks...
cute- encompassess both pretty and handsome. its like someone u think "aww" to.. makes u wana cuddle into them.. (not that u cant do it with the other categories.. but u think cuddle first to these one and not the others)
to break it down:
*handsome is like someone u cud maybe define as gentlemenlike and manly at the same time... i.e- hmm.. Ethan from passions.. lol
*pretty is more like when u describe pretty boys- like that guy from aus idol- anthony- hes a pretty boy- got pretty features but some wud still think is hot