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 pretty …

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

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

Dec 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.

Pretty privilege is the tendency for people who are viewed as more attractive or "pretty" to receive more opportunities, benefits, attention, or other perks than their less attractive counterparts. [1] The …

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

Jul 14, 2021 · In this Confident English lesson, you’ll learn 4 ways to accurately use ‘pretty’ as an adverb in English. Plus, you’ll get tips to know which meaning is used when you hear someone else say it.

Aug 26, 2025 · The adjective "pretty" is often used to describe someone or something that is pleasant to look at, charming, or attractive. It is a two-syllable adjective ending in "y," which affects how it is …

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