pretty

Everyday

1. (adjective) Nice to look at; attractive in a gentle way: «a pretty dress». tree →
2. (adverb) Fairly, quite, rather: «pretty good», «pretty cold». tree →
3. (adverb, informal) Very nearly: «pretty much the same». tree →

In the lessons

In everyday talk, «pretty» as an adverb is very common: «I'm pretty sure», «it's pretty easy». In stories, it describes flowers, places and people. Phrases: «pretty much», «pretty well», «pretty sure», «pretty as a picture».

Examples

• What a pretty garden! tree →
• She wore a pretty blue dress. tree →
• The test was pretty easy. tree →
• I'm pretty sure it's going to rain. tree →
• It's pretty cold outside, so wear a coat. tree →
• The two drawings are pretty much the same. tree →
• The village is prettiest in spring. tree →
• She was pretty and delicate indeed. tree →

Note

Said «PRIT-ee». As an adverb it makes an adjective weaker or a little stronger: «pretty good» = quite good, not excellent. Comparatives: prettier, prettiest.