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.

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

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 …

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.

4 days ago · 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 …

pleasing or attractive, esp. in a delicate or graceful way: a pretty face. pleasing or charming but not grand or overwhelming: a pretty little cabin in the woods.

2 days ago · The Pretty Reckless performs the song Where Are You Christmas? on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

6 days ago · When you wear a polish you love, every time you peek down at your hands, you'll smile. Here are 20 pretty nail colors you need to try now.

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.