Image: Midjourney/ MomJunction Design Team
You may often notice that the body language of men in love is different from those who are not. At times, men prefer to express their feelings without using words but with their body language. They may communicate with you using some bodily gestures. And in most cases, there is more than what meets the eye.
Nonverbal signals can reflect emotions and intentions, often revealing feelings that words cannot express. In romantic contexts, reading these signals becomes essential, as they can indicate attraction, interest, and emotional connection.
However, if you have just met this person and are yet to understand him properly, you might face some difficulties understanding their cues. We are here to help you with that. Read on to gain an insight into the body language of men in love.
Key Pointers
- A man in love would let you know his feelings through posture, gestures, or facial expressions.
- His eyes remain fixed at you, or he raises his eyebrows while talking to you.
- He may act nervous around you but shows immense courage to protect you.
- Leaning towards you and wanting to grab your attention are a few signs of his love for you.
What Is Body Language?
Body language is a form of nonverbal communication in which body posture, gestures, touch, facial expressions, etc., are used to convey your feelings and thoughts. Body language, when read well, can help one understand the implicit meanings of courtship, attraction, and love.
Albert Mehrabian, a researcher on body language, has discovered that 55% of communication is nonverbal (1). More than half of our communication is nonverbal communication, and our bodies manifest our thoughts and emotions. Research suggests that men are more likely than women to withhold information about their thoughts and feelings, making their body language an especially valuable tool for understanding their minds (2).
In this post, we try to explain what a man who is attracted to you is saying through his body language. However, it’s important to note that body language alone can’t confirm romantic interest and should always be considered alongside other factors. These cues may suggest interest but are not absolute proof. Additionally, the interpretation of body language may differ greatly among individuals and across cultures (3).
17 Body Language Signals He Might Be Attracted To You
1. He doesn’t take his eyes off you
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Picture a crowded room where multiple conversations are happening, yet his gaze remains fixed on you. This is the best pointer that he has feelings for you. A man who is captivated by you would not like to quit looking at you. If his eye-to-eye contact time is short, it implies he may not be keen on you. The more prolonged eye contact he makes with you, the greater his attraction for you.
2. He touches you often
When you are strolling close to him, does he place his hands on your arm? Does he tend to pat your hand or arm when talking? The more he touches you, the more he loves you. One of the psychological signs a man is in love is his tendency to touch you frequently. Men often show their affection through subtle, non-sexual gestures when they are truly into you. A tender touch can be one of the more striking and direct signs he’s falling in love with you than many words.
3. He faces you
Imagine you’re at a social gathering with multiple conversations and various distractions happening around you. Even if there’s an interesting discussion happening nearby or someone calls his name, he will keep his torso, shoulders, and feet pointed directly at you. This is a good sign that he is interested in the conversation, and more importantly, in you.
4. His lips don’t lie
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A closed smile usually indicates that a man is withdrawn. On the other hand, if your man smiles brightly during a conversation, it is a nonverbal way of reminding you that he is happy to meet you. He will give you a pure, adoring smile until the areas around his eyes are wrinkled and his entire face lights up.
5. His shoulders lean towards you
Leaning his shoulders towards you is one of the physical signs a man is in love. It is also one of the indications of adoration. If he leans his shoulders towards you when he’s close to you, he’s romantic and cares about what you have to say. He will lean in and create a space that incorporates you two.
6. He hugs you
Men may use affectionate touch, such as stroking, hugging, or kissing, as a consistent way to express romantic interest and love (4). The way he hugs you when he meets you may be another one of the clear signs he loves you secretly. He does it for longer than you expect and doesn’t want to let you go. This suggests he cares about you and has more than friendship in his mind — he probably wants to be around you every minute. The hug time of a friend usually does not exceed a few seconds.
Quick tip7. He takes a deep breath
Observe this closely when he is nearby. He will take a deep breath, and you will notice his stomach sinking in. It is either because you make him nervous or because he likes what he sees.
8. You see his hands
Image: IStock
If you notice his hands when he stands or sits next to you, he is trying to look more approachable and attract you. On the other hand, if he crosses his arms or puts his hands in his pocket, he has set up a barrier between you two and is not interested in getting to know you.
9. He is nervous around you
Another clear sign that he is into you is when he is restless or unable to stop fidgeting. Women often play with their hair or the glass in their hands when they are around someone they like. A man, on the other hand, may start tapping his fingers, touching his neck or face, or spinning his drink. In any case, it means that he is nervous around you and is interested. Although nervousness may mean the opposite in some situations, you should be able to tell the difference.
10. He is protective
Another signal to look out for is when he appears protective of you. If you’re talking to another man, and he makes it a point to interrupt your conversation, he’s probably attracted to you; he doesn’t want you to flirt with someone else. Even though this can be annoying, it’s one of the more obvious ways to show love and affection. Also, if he notices that someone is rude to you, and he comes to your side to back you up, he probably finds you really attractive and is devoted to keeping you safe.
11. He steals your words
Image: IStock
Does he start using a unique phrase or expression you’ve said during a conversation in his later interactions? That’s because, when a man is into you, not only will he match your tone, but he will also start using the same words or phrases you use. This is his way to synchronize with you. It sends the message – we are two of a kind. It also lets you know that he thinks about you and listens to what you say to him or the people around you.
12. He raises his eyebrows
If you often find him raising his eyebrows in greetings and conversations, it means he is serious about you. Although too much eyebrow movement can be creepy, the correct eyebrow movement will let you know if he is interested in you.
13. He walks with you
If he walks next to you and maintains the same pace, it’s a sure-fire sign that he’s attracted to you. He cares enough to slow down and walk by your side to be close to you and maybe initiate a conversation.
Quick tip14. He takes care of his appearance
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Men become self-conscious of their appearance and make an extra effort to groom themselves when they are near someone they like. Does your man run his hand through his hair? Does he straighten his shirt as you approach him? If he takes care of the way he looks, he wants to impress you. Even a small touch-up in front of you suggests he wants to look good for you.
15. He becomes loud
Have you noticed that he suddenly speaks with more enthusiasm and volume in group conversations, almost as if he wants to make sure you hear every word? By simply speaking out loud, he wants to make sure you hear his voice. He probably wants to attract your attention with his loud and deep voice.
16. He has dilated pupils
Dilated pupils can indicate a man’s feelings, especially regarding love (5). A man’s pupils may dilate when he sees someone he loves. This physiological response is linked to the desire to see more of the person, essentially wanting to take in as much of them as possible. Incidentally, this reaction also enhances the man’s own appearance, creating a loop of mutual admiration. The dilation of pupils in this context is primarily attributed to the release of oxytocin, known as the ‘love hormone,’ which is released during intimate or strong emotional moments. However, it’s important to note that pupil dilation can be caused by other factors, such as fear, caffeine intake, alcohol consumption, or medical procedures. Therefore, while dilated pupils can be a sign of his feelings for you, they should be considered alongside other indicators to accurately understand a man’s feelings.
17. He mirrors your movements
When a man mirrors your body language, such as by imitating your gestures, expressions, or posture, it could mean he feels connected or attracted to you. You casually cross your legs without thinking much about it, and a moment later, he mirrors the action, crossing his legs the same way. You could view it as a sign that he may be testing the waters and want to know you better, potentially before confessing his feelings. Such acts indicate that he is in tune with you and feels comfortable in your presence.
What To Do When You See These Signs In Him
When you notice these nonverbal cues, you may want to move beyond mere interpretation and engage in meaningful dialogue. Engaging in direct yet sensitive communication may help clarify his emotions and intentions.
- Initiate honest dialogue: Express your thoughts openly, asking questions like, “I sense a strong connection between us, what do you think?” if you are interested in him.
- Ask instead of assuming: Phrase your thoughts as invitations to dialogue rather than definitive statements. For example, say, “I noticed you’ve been very attentive, what’s on your mind?”
- Listen actively: Pay attention not just to words, but to the emotional context.
- Respect boundaries: If the feelings are not mutual, gracefully accept the response.
The body language of men in love often reveals what they cannot express in words. You need to be observant of a man’s body language and decode this non-verbal communication to determine whether he is interested in you. If he is affectionate and caring, his face brightens at your very sight, he slows down to match your pace when walking, or puts effort to be presentable when meeting you, there is a fair chance that he has a strong interest in you. Look for the subtle signs he wants you to notice him, then think about how these signals play a part in your understanding of love. Also, count on your instincts to feel the magic of love.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if a man has a secret liking for me?
If he wants to spend his free time with you, keeps a tab on your social media accounts, or shares his future plans with you, he might have a secret liking for you.
2. Why should women pay attention to the body language of men in love?
The non-verbal signs, like affection and understanding, can help you develop a close bond with the other person. A mistaken gesture can throw people off track. Therefore, it is essential to understand these signs as they differ for every relationship.
3. Can a woman know a man loves her just by looking at his body language?
While the body language of a man secretly in love with you may include prolonged eye contact, leaning in closer during conversations, and frequent smiling, these are not foolproof indicators of love. Understanding someone’s feelings requires more than just observing body language. Love involves deeper emotional connections, shared experiences, and verbal communication. Therefore, it is essential to avoid relying solely on body language. Instead, have open and clear communication to understand and confirm emotions in a relationship.
4. Can nonverbal communication be faked?
Body language is hard to fully control because it often shows our true feelings. Trying to fake it too much can make it appear unnatural (6). However, you can still adjust certain behaviors, like keeping an open posture, to avoid sending negative signals and improve communication.
Infographic: Other Body Language Signs That Express His Love For You
Men are often less vocal about their emotions, making understanding their feelings difficult. However, their body language may say it all if you know how to decode the same. The infographic lists some more such signs to help you understand if a man is interested in you. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Body Language Of Men In Love: 16 Signs He Is Falling For You
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
A loving man will show his affection through body language. He’ll make eye contact, smile, and touch you in a gentle, caring way. Learn more with this unique video.
References
1. How Much of Communication Is Nonverbal?; The University of Texas Permian Basin
2. Erin Carbone et. al; (2024); He said, she said: Gender differences in the disclosure of positive and negative information.
3. Martha Davis; (2005); To the international student Scientific Papers and Presentations (Second Edition)
4. Agnieszka Sorokowska et.al; (2023);Love and affectionate touch toward romantic partners all over the world
5. The Art of Eye Communication: Power in Non-Verbal Connection; Integrative Psych NYC
6. Body Language and Nonverbal Communication; HelpGuide.org
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