Pretty is used to tone down a statement and is in wide use across the whole spectrum of English. It is common in informal speech and writing but is neither rare nor wrong in serious discourse.

We can use pretty as an adverb, before an adjective or another adverb, meaning ‘quite, but not extremely’. It is informal: … That's a pretty hat you're wearing. The sofa was covered in very …

1. To a fair degree; moderately: a pretty good student. 2. In a pretty manner; prettily or pleasingly.

The qualifying adverb pretty, meaning “fairly or moderately” has been in general use since the late 16th century. Although most common in informal speech and writing, it is far from restricted to …

Nov 7, 2025 · When particularly stressed, the adverb pretty serves almost to diminish the adjective or adverb that it modifies, by emphasizing that there are greater levels of intensity.

If you describe someone as pretty, you mean that they are attractive. She's a very charming and very pretty girl.

Find 447 different ways to say PRETTY, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.

pretty definition: to a moderately high degree or extent. Check meanings, examples, usage tips, pronunciation, domains, and related words. Discover expressions like "not a pretty sight", …

PRETTY meaning: 1 : attractive to look at usually in a simple or delicate way used especially of a girl or woman; 2 : pleasant to look at or listen to

There are 20 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word pretty, four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.