Beautiful vs Pretty: What's the Difference?
What's the Difference?
While "beautiful" conveys a stronger and more comprehensive sense of beauty, "pretty" expresses a lighter and more casual kind of beauty.
Memory Tip: beautiful = big beauty, pretty = petite beauty
beautiful has 3 syllables, pretty has 2 syllables
beautiful /ˈbjuːtɪfəl/
adjectivePleasing to look at or attractive.
Example:
The garden is beautiful with many colorful flowers.
Common patterns:
beautiful scenery
beautiful smile
beautiful day
pretty /ˈprɪti/
adverbto a moderate degree; fairly
Example:
The dress is pretty and has small flowers.
Common patterns:
pretty good
pretty nice
Common Mistakes
The sunset over the ocean was pretty breathtaking.
The sunset over the ocean was beautiful breathtaking.
The word 'beautiful' is more appropriate for describing something as grand and awe-inspiring as a sunset.
She wore a beautiful dress for the casual picnic.
She wore a pretty dress for the casual picnic.
The word 'pretty' is more fitting for describing something that is nice or attractive in a simple or informal setting like a picnic.
Quick Practice
0/2 correct1. The garden is ____ with many colorful flowers.
2. The dress is ____ and has small flowers.
Other Confusing Words
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