What does pretty mean?
Pretty is an adjective meaning attractive, pleasing, or aesthetically appealing, as when describing a dress, a landscape, or a light. It can also be used more broadly to describe something appealing, pleasant, or conveniently arranged, as in phrases such as a pretty picture or a pretty good idea. In informal English, especially in speech, pretty is also an adverb meaning fairly or rather: “It was pretty cold outside.” Its use can sound casual, while more formal writing often prefers rather, fairly, or quite. Although pretty now most often concerns visual appeal, the word historically had a stronger association with being clever, skillful, or ingenious. The word is common in British and American English, with little regional difference in its standard meanings. It is useful because it combines strong everyday approval with a gentle, familiar tone, allowing speakers to praise appearance or experience without sounding overly formal or exaggerated.
Attractive or pleasing in appearance; appealing or pleasant in a broader sense.
"The street is lined with pretty houses and flowering trees."
The word is used in everyday, informal, and formal contexts. It can describe physical appearance, but it is also often used more generally for something pleasing or appealing.
To a fair or moderate degree; rather or quite.
"The journey took pretty much all afternoon."
This use is informal and is especially common in spoken English. Formal writing often uses rather, fairly, or quite instead.
Pretty once meant clever or skillful before its modern sense of “attractive” took hold.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pretty come from?
The modern word developed from Middle English pretti, which originally carried meanings connected with cleverness, skill, or aptness rather than physical attractiveness. The sense meaning attractive or pleasing emerged in the 16th century, while the adverbial use meaning fairly or rather developed later as an informal expression of moderate degree. Its precise early development is historically complex, but the shift from skill or cleverness to attractiveness is well established. Modern forms such as prettify and prettiness continue the same word family.
Related word forms
How pretty is actually used
The adjective is common in both formal and informal English. The adverb sense meaning “fairly” or “rather” is generally informal and is especially frequent in speech; in formal writing, “rather,” “fairly,” or “quite” is often preferable.
Easily confused with pretty
Prettier is the comparative form of pretty, used when comparing two people or things.
The words are the same headword; the difference is grammatical: pretty is the base form, while prettier is its comparative form.