What is pretty? Pronunciation and usage in English

pretty means . Learn how to pronounce and use pretty through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of pretty

prettyadjective

/ˈprɪti/
Definition & pronunciation of pretty

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "pretty" in English. It's a common stumbling block for learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • ˈprɪti (This is phonetic, meaning it uses symbols to represent sounds)

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. "pr": This sounds like the "p" in "pet" and the "r" as a quick, rolled "r" (most British speakers roll their r's, but American speakers often don't roll it as much - a softer "r" is fine).

  2. "i": This sounds like the "ee" in "see” or “meet”.

  3. "ti": This sounds like “tee” as in “tea,” but the 't' is very quick and almost blends into the ‘i’.

Putting it together: It’s a relatively quick, flowing sound. It shouldn’t feel forced.

Here are some resources to hear it:

Common Mistakes and Tips:

  • Don’t emphasize the “t”: The “t” in “pretty” is very quiet and almost disappears into the “i.” This is a key difference from the word "pretty good."
  • Don't say "pret-ty": Avoid pronouncing it as if it were two separate words.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you some example sentences you can practice with?

Usage and examples with the word pretty in English

Let's break down how to use the word "pretty" in English. It's a versatile word, but it has nuances! Here's a breakdown of its different uses, with examples:

1. As an Adjective - Describing Appearance (Most Common)

  • Meaning: This is the most common usage. "Pretty" describes something that is pleasing to look at, generally attractive, charming, or delicate. It often suggests a gentle or sweet kind of beauty.

  • Examples:

    • "She wore a pretty dress to the party." (describing the dress)
    • "The flowers in the garden are so pretty." (describing the flowers)
    • "He has a pretty smile." (describing his smile)
    • "It’s a pretty little town." (describing the town’s appearance)
    • "That’s a pretty picture!" (describing a picture)

2. As an Adverb – Modifying Verbs (Less Common - Often Informal)

  • Meaning: In this usage, "pretty" softens a verb, making it less forceful or direct. It implies a gentle or delicate action.

  • Examples:

    • "She pretty much finished the project by herself." (Meaning: She almost entirely finished it) – This is often replaced with "mostly" or "nearly."
    • "He pretty much ignored my question." (Meaning: He disregarded my question) – Again, "mostly" is often clearer.
    • “They pretty agreed." (Meaning: They largely agreed) - you'd often hear "they largely agreed"

3. As an Interjection (Very Informal – Often Expressing Surprise or Mild Delight)

  • Meaning: When used as an interjection, "pretty" expresses a slight surprise, delight, or mild amazement. It's quite informal and a bit dated, so be mindful of your audience.

  • Examples:

    • "Pretty! You got a new car?" (Expressing surprise and delight)
    • "Pretty! That’s amazing!" (Expressing mild amazement)

Important Notes & Nuances:

  • "Cute" vs. "Pretty": These words are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences. "Cute" often implies a more youthful, playful, or endearing quality. “Pretty” is often associated with a more refined or graceful beauty. It can also be used for things that are delicately charming.

  • Regional Differences: The usage and perception of “pretty” can vary slightly by region.

  • Overuse: Be careful not to overuse "pretty." It can sound clichéd or insincere if you use it constantly.

Here’s a table summarizing the uses:

Usage Meaning Example
Adjective Pleasing to look at She wore a pretty dress.
Adverb Softens a verb She pretty much finished it.
Interjection Mild surprise/delight Pretty! You got a new car?

Resources for More Information:

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to say? (e.g., "I want to describe a picture," or "I want to express surprise about something.")

Synonyms for the word pretty

Idioms of the word pretty

be sitting pretty
(informal)to be in a good situation, especially when others are not
  • With profits at record levels, the company’s certainly sitting pretty this year.
pretty much/well
(informal)almost; almost completely
  • One dog looks pretty much like another to me.
  • He goes out pretty well every night.
  • The first stage is pretty near finished.

Practice with vocabulary pretty

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The project deadline is _______ tight, so we need to work efficiently.
  2. The company's new office building features a ________ design that blends modern aesthetics with functional spaces.
  3. During the negotiation, both parties managed to reach a ________ compromise, acceptable to all.
  4. The CEO's announcement was ________ clear, leaving no room for misinterpretation among the employees.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word(s) can best complete the sentence: "The new software update is _______ straightforward to install." A) quite B) extremely C) pretty D) rather

  2. The packaging for the premium product line features a _______ and minimalist design. A) elegant B) lovely C) pretty D) intricate

  3. The negotiation process was _______ challenging, but we ultimately reached a beneficial agreement. A) somewhat B) fairly C) pretty D) absolutely

  4. The CEO's statement was ______ ambiguous, leading to much speculation among investors. A) somewhat B) rather C) quite D) vaguely

  5. The new policy applies _______ all employees, regardless of their department. A) for B) to C) with D) at

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite the sentence, using "pretty" as an adverb to intensify a characteristic: "The project's timeline is rather ambitious, necessitating careful resource allocation."

  2. Rewrite the sentence, incorporating "pretty" as an adjective, referring to an aesthetic quality in a professional context: "The new website design is visually appealing and very user-friendly."

  3. Rewrite the sentence, replacing the intensifier "quite" with a suitable alternative (do NOT use "pretty"): "The company's performance this quarter was quite impressive, exceeding all expectations."

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. pretty
  2. pretty
  3. fairly
  4. crystal

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. A, C, D
  2. A, B, C
  3. A, B, C
  4. A, B, C, D
  5. B

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The project's timeline is pretty ambitious, necessitating careful resource allocation.
  2. The new website design is pretty and very user-friendly.
  3. The company's performance this quarter was remarkably impressive, exceeding all expectations.

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