Pretty vs. Gorgeous — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 19, 2023
"Pretty" describes something that is pleasing to the eyes but is often less intense than "gorgeous," which implies a breathtaking, stunning beauty. While "pretty" is commonly used in a casual context, "gorgeous" is usually more emphatic and dramatic.
Difference Between Pretty and Gorgeous
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Key Differences
Pretty" is a word used to describe something that is aesthetically pleasing or attractive. It's a term that's often used in a casual, everyday context. "Gorgeous," on the other hand, is used to describe something or someone that is strikingly beautiful in a way that captures attention dramatically.
Both "pretty" and "gorgeous" serve as adjectives in the English language, describing the appearance of nouns. Grammatically, they are interchangeable to some extent, but "gorgeous" is usually reserved for more emphatic or extreme cases of beauty. "Pretty," being milder, is more frequently used in daily conversation.
The usage of "pretty" and "gorgeous" varies not just in intensity but also in context. "Pretty" can also describe things other than appearance, like a pretty song or a pretty idea. "Gorgeous" is less versatile and is usually focused more on visual or sensory beauty, such as a gorgeous view or a gorgeous piece of art.
In the realm of colloquial expressions and slang, "pretty" can be used as an adverb to mean "quite" or "rather," as in "pretty good" or "pretty fast." "Gorgeous" lacks this kind of flexibility in casual usage, sticking mainly to its role as an adjective describing extreme beauty.
From a cultural standpoint, both "pretty" and "gorgeous" have been subjected to various interpretations and standards of beauty. However, "gorgeous" usually carries a sense of awe or wonder, often implying that something or someone has met an extraordinary standard of beauty, whereas "pretty" is more conventional and less awe-inspiring.
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Comparison Chart
Type of Word
Adjective, Adverb
Adjective
Intensity
Moderate
High
Versatility
More Versatile
Less Versatile
Contextual Usage
Casual, Everyday
Dramatic, Emphatic
Connotative Emotion
Pleasant, Calm
Awe-inspiring, Striking
Compare with Definitions
Pretty
Pleasing to the eye in a moderate manner.
The garden looked pretty in the morning light.
Gorgeous
Stunningly beautiful or magnificent.
The bride looked gorgeous on her wedding day.
Pretty
Used to describe a moderate level of various attributes.
That was a pretty good movie.
Gorgeous
Visually striking or splendid.
The sunset was absolutely gorgeous.
Pretty
Describing something as agreeable or satisfactory.
She did a pretty job decorating the room.
Gorgeous
Intensely pleasurable or satisfying to the senses.
The meal was gorgeous, satisfying every palate.
Pretty
A charming or appealing quality.
Her dress had a pretty pattern.
Gorgeous
Luxurious or sumptuous.
They stayed in a gorgeous penthouse.
Pretty
(of a person, especially a woman or child) attractive in a delicate way without being truly beautiful
A pretty little girl with an engaging grin
Gorgeous
Beautiful; very attractive
Gorgeous colours and exquisite decoration
Pretty
Used ironically to express annoyance or displeasure
He led me a pretty dance
Gorgeous
Dazzlingly beautiful or magnificent
Wore a gorgeous Victorian gown.
Pretty
To a moderately high degree; fairly
He looked pretty fit for his age
It was a pretty bad injury
Gorgeous
Characterized by magnificence or virtuosic brilliance
The pianist's gorgeous technique.
Pretty
An attractive thing, especially a trinket
He buys her lots of pretties—bangles and rings
Gorgeous
(Informal) Wonderful; delightful.
Pretty
Make pretty or attractive
She'll be all prettied up and ready to go in an hour
Gorgeous
(of a person or place) Very beautiful.
All the contest judges agreed that Brigitt was absolutely gorgeous.
The sunsets in Hawaii are gorgeous.
Pretty
Pleasing or attractive in a graceful or delicate way.
Gorgeous
(rare) Very enjoyable, pleasant, tasty, etc.
Hummus is absolutely gorgeous.
Pretty
Clever; adroit
A pretty maneuver.
Gorgeous
Imposing through splendid or various colors; showy; fine; magnificent.
Cloud-land, gorgeous land.
Gorgeous as the sun at midsummer.
Pretty
Very bad; terrible
In a pretty predicament.
A situation that has reached a pretty pass.
Gorgeous
Dazzlingly beautiful;
A gorgeous Victorian gown
Pretty
Ostensibly or superficially attractive but lacking substance or conviction
Full of pretty phrases.
Gorgeous
Producing awe or wonder because of exceptional beauty.
The artwork was simply gorgeous.
Pretty
(Informal) Considerable in size or extent
A pretty fortune.
Pretty
To a fair degree; moderately
A pretty good student.
Pretty
In a pretty manner; prettily or pleasingly.
Pretty
One that is pretty.
Pretty
Pretties Delicate clothing, especially lingerie.
Pretty
To make pretty
Pretty up the house.
Pretty
Pleasant to the sight or other senses; attractive, especially of women or children.
Pretty
Of objects or things: nice-looking, appealing.
Pretty
Fine-looking; only superficially attractive; initially appealing but having little substance; see petty.
Pretty
Cunning; clever, skilful.
Pretty
(dated) Moderately large; considerable.
Pretty
(dated) Excellent, commendable, pleasing; fitting or proper (of actions, thoughts etc.).
Pretty
(ironic) Awkward, unpleasant.
Pretty
Somewhat, fairly, quite; sometimes also (by meiosis) very.
Pretty
(dialect) Prettily, in a pretty manner.
Pretty
A pretty person; a term of address to a pretty person.
Pretty
Something that is pretty.
We'll stop at the knife store and look at the sharp pretties.
Pretty
To make pretty; to beautify
Pretty
Pleasing by delicacy or grace; attracting, but not striking or impressing; of a pleasing and attractive form a color; having slight or diminutive beauty; neat or elegant without elevation or grandeur; pleasingly, but not grandly, conceived or expressed; as, a pretty face; a pretty flower; a pretty poem.
This is the prettiest lowborn lass that everRan on the greensward.
Pretty
Moderately large; considerable; as, he had saved a pretty fortune.
Pretty
Affectedly nice; foppish; - used in an ill sense.
The pretty gentleman is the most complaisant in the world.
Pretty
Mean; despicable; contemptible; - used ironically; as, a pretty trick; a pretty fellow.
Pretty
Stout; strong and brave; intrepid; valiant.
[He] observed they were pretty men, meaning not handsome.
Pretty
In some degree; moderately; considerably; rather; almost; - less emphatic than very; as, I am pretty sure of the fact; pretty cold weather.
Pretty plainly professes himself a sincere Christian.
Pretty
Pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing;
Pretty girl
Pretty song
Pretty room
Pretty
(used ironically) unexpectedly bad;
A pretty mess
A pretty kettle of fish
Pretty
Used as an intensifier (`jolly' is used informally in Britain);
Pretty big
Pretty bad
Jolly decent of him
Pretty
Fairly or somewhat.
He is pretty tall for his age.
Common Curiosities
What does Gorgeous mean?
"Gorgeous" describes something stunningly beautiful, often capturing attention in a dramatic way.
Is Pretty always about appearance?
No, "pretty" can describe things like ideas or songs, beyond just visual appeal.
Can Gorgeous be used for non-visual things?
Less commonly; "gorgeous" usually focuses on visual or sensory beauty.
Can Gorgeous be used as an adverb?
No, "gorgeous" is typically only used as an adjective.
What does Pretty mean?
"Pretty" means aesthetically pleasing or attractive, often in a moderate or casual way.
Can Pretty function as an adverb?
Yes, "pretty" can be used as an adverb to mean "quite" or "rather."
Can you use Pretty to describe an idea?
Yes, phrases like "a pretty good idea" show its versatility.
Is Gorgeous used to describe men?
Yes, but it's more commonly used for women and objects.
Can Pretty be used in a sarcastic manner?
Yes, as in "That's a pretty fine mess you've made."
Does Pretty have a neutral tone?
Often, yes. It's usually used in casual or everyday contexts.
Can Pretty imply a lesser degree of beauty?
Yes, "pretty" is often milder and less emphatic than "gorgeous."
Is Gorgeous more intense than Pretty?
Yes, "gorgeous" usually implies a higher level of beauty or grandeur.
Are Pretty and Gorgeous interchangeable?
They can be, but "gorgeous" is generally more intense and dramatic.
Is Gorgeous used more formally?
It can be, especially when emphasizing extreme beauty or luxury.
Can Gorgeous be used sarcastically?
Less commonly, but it's possible to use it for irony or exaggeration.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
