How to pronounce pretty
Say it like PRIT-ee. Pretty has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pretty. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PRIT
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pretty pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PRITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of pretty
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: PRIT-ee.
What does pretty mean?
- pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing“pretty girl”“pretty song”
- (used ironically) unexpectedly bad“a pretty mess”“a pretty kettle of fish”
- to certain extent or degree“pretty big”“pretty bad”
Where does pretty come from?
Cognate with Dutch prettig (“nice, pleasant”), Low German prettig (“funny”), Icelandic prettugur (“deceitful, tricky”).
Words that rhyme with pretty
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of pretty.
Questions about saying pretty
How do you pronounce pretty?
Say PRIT-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈprɪti/. In British English it is /ˈprɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pretty?
Pretty has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRIT). Broken into parts: PRIT · ee.
Is pretty pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈprɪti/ (PRIT-ee).