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 pretty …

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

Mar 28, 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.

Pretty definition: Pleasing or attractive in a graceful or delicate way.

Use the word pretty to describe something with a delicate and pleasant appearance. Something that’s pretty is less powerful and intimidating than something that’s beautiful, the way a pretty floral raincoat …

Pretty is an adjective that describes something or someone as visually pleasing, attractive, or aesthetically appealing. It is often used to convey a sense of beauty, charm, elegance, or loveliness.

Moderately; reasonably; tolerably: expressing a degree less than very: as, a farm pretty well stocked; pretty good lodgings; I am pretty sure of the fact. from the GNU version of the Collaborative …

verb Word forms: pretties, prettying, prettied (with object) make pretty or attractive she'll be all prettied up and ready to go in an hour