What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lovely
Example
The garden is lovely this time of year. [lovely: adjective]
Example
It was lovely to meet you. [lovely: adverb]
pretty
Example
She wore a pretty dress to the party. [pretty: adjective]
Example
The food was pretty good, but not amazing. [pretty: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pretty is more commonly used than lovely in everyday language. Pretty is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while lovely is less common and is typically used in more formal or sophisticated settings.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between lovely and pretty?
Lovely is more formal than pretty. While pretty is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, lovely is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.