It's not funny but comedy is officially a turn off in a partner for both sexes - as men want 'ambitious' women while girls prefer 'intelligent' men, according to new research.

A study claims the language of love most likely to help singletons on dating websites meet their Mr or Mrs Right has changed.

It found that using certain words in a dating profile has the potential to DOUBLE the number of messages from potential partners.

The study looked at the words used in more than 12,000 profiles to chart changes in what people search for in a potential partner.

It suggested men increasingly looking for ambitious women - while women are much more likely to be seeking intelligent men than in previous years.

Men and women have a different idea what they are looking for from two years ago (

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Getty)

New entries to the Top 10 words in men's profiles are 'articulate' and 'intelligent' while, for women's profiles, 'rational', 'creative', 'energetic' and 'perceptive' all appear for the first time.

The results were as follows:

TOP 10 WORDS USED BY MEN TO GET THEIR DATING PROFILE NOTICED:

1. Physically fit (+96%)
2. Perceptive (+51%)
3. Spontaneous (+45%)
4. Outgoing (+44%)
5. Optimistic (+39%)
6. Intelligent (+35%)
7. Passionate (+32%)
8. Affectionate (+29%)
9. Articulate (+24%)
10. Ambitious (+23%)


TOP 10 WORDS USED BY WOMEN TO GET THEIR DATING PROFILE NOTICED:

1. Ambitious (+48%)
2. Perceptive (+46%)
3. Sweet (+33%)
4. Hard working (+32%)
5. Thoughtful (+28%)
6. Physically fit (+21%)
7. Creative (+19%)
8. Rationale (+19%)
9. Spontaneous (+19%)
10. Energetic (+18%)

Men are looking for something quite different from women nowadays (

Image:

Getty)

The study further found that what women and men look for in potential partners has changed "significantly" in the last two years.

Researchers found that a number of words have fallen out of favour with the opposite sex since 2014, while others have risen to prominence.

While the description 'sweet' would attract the most male attention for women in 2014, it's now been pushed into third place, with 'ambitious' taking the top spot.

Similarly, the phrase 'hardworking' has gone from the ninth most popular word to the fourth.

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Yet for men the word 'ambitious' had the opposite impact, falling from the second most popular word in 2014 to only 10th today.

Instead, women were more receptive to the words 'perceptive' 'spontaneous' and 'outgoing' than they were two years ago.

Overall, the word 'physically fit' remains the biggest turn on for women.

Websites like eHarmony and apps like Tinder are commonly used to find a new partner

The survey also discovered those words you definitely shouldn't use. The results were as follows:

WORST FIVE WORDS FOR MEN TO USE ON A DATING PROFILE

1. Quiet (-62%)
2. Spiritual (-34%)
3. Respectful (-31%)
4. Good listener (-29%)
5. Caring (-25%)

WORST FIVE WORDS FOR WOMEN TO USE ON A DATING PROFILE:

1. Spiritual (-35%)
2. Quiet (-32%)
3. Dependable (-26%)
4. Articulate (-19%)
5. Good listener (-18%)

In terms of the words that singles should change in their profiles, 'funny' doesn't have the same appeal it did two years ago, falling out of the top 10 words for both sexes.

'Thoughtful' dropped out of women's top 10 wants, while for men 'good listeners' was found to decrease the number of messages received by 29 per cent, with 'caring' (down 24 per cent) and 'respectful' (down 31 per cent) also seen as a turn off.

Using the right language is important, with figures showing men using the phrase 'physically fit' in their profile receive almost double the number of messages compared to an average profile - an average increase of 96 per cent.

Relationship expert Dr Linda Papadopoulos said: "The way we describe ourselves and what we are receptive to not only relates to what we value, but potentially what we believe others value.

"This is often based on gender stereotypes, cultural trends and societal expectations.

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"For example, women are receptive to men using traits like 'perceptive' and 'intelligent' which now may be a reaction to the importance of communication and emotional availability in relationships.

"Whereas men are receptive to women being 'hard working' and 'ambitious' showing they are receptive to a level playing field."

Aisling Lawless, of relationship website eHarmony.co.uk who conducted the survey said: "We know that the words you use in your dating profile are important, and what this study shows is that the 'language of love' is constantly evolving.

"Within just two years the Top 10 most popular words changed drastically, especially in terms of what men are looking for in a partner.

"To help members increase their probability of success we have created eHarmony's online profile checker to help guide members on how their dating profile measures up.

"Using this tool, members can see the words that are working for them and the ones that aren't; as well as a few suggestions that'll help them stand out from the crowd."