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.

PRETTY definition: pleasing or attractive to the eye, as by delicacy or gracefulness. See examples of pretty used in a sentence.

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.

Jan 5, 2026 · 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.

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 …

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

Pretty may refer to: Beauty, the quality of being pleasing, especially to look at Physical attractiveness, of a person's physical features

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

PRETTY meaning: 1. quite, but not extremely: 2. almost: 3. If a woman or girl is pretty, she is attractive: . Learn more.