It is common in informal speech and writing but is neither rare nor wrong in serious discourse. While all these words mean exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure, pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness. Pleasing or attractive to the eye, as by delicacy or gracefulness.
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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’
… that's a pretty hat you're wearing The sofa was covered in very pretty flowery material She's got such a pretty daughter She looked pretty in a simple cotton dress.
If you describe someone as pretty, you mean that they are attractive She's a very charming and very pretty girl. Pretty (comparative prettier, superlative prettiest) pleasant to the sight or other senses Attractive, especially of women or children
[from 15th c.] coordinate term, near synonym quotations coordinate term
In a delicate or graceful way Pleasing or charming but not grand or overwhelming A pretty little cabin in the woods. 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. Some common synonyms of pretty are beautiful, comely, fair, handsome, and lovely
