Damn pretty

USAGE SUMMARY

In most contexts, "damn pretty" is considered informal and/or impolite.
Therefore, it is not appropriate for formal, written English. That being said, the phrase can be used in informal, conversational writing, such as in a personal email or text message. For example: "That dress looks damn pretty on you!".

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

:03 deleted from beginning of sequence to remove two "damns" from "Croquet hoops look damn pretty" and "Croquet hoops look frightfully damn pretty".

The New Yorker

Chase Rice's "Ready Set Roll": "Damn pretty girl, you went done it again / You've gone and turned your sexy all the way up to ten / I've never seen a side-ride seat looking so hot".

The New Yorker

But he was so damn pretty, he could make people see sense in them.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's just so damn pretty.

TechCrunch

We had a hands-on video of the device last month (the video can be found again below), saying it's damn pretty.

TechCrunch

It looks so damn pretty; why must it lack 3G? Oh Well – at least it's coming to North America, according to this FCC post.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

It was just so damned pretty.

TechCrunch

Pretty damn impressive.

Independent

"You seem pretty damn insane to me," she says.

The New York Times - Books

And damn, they're pretty.

Huffington Post

That's pretty damning.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the context before using "damn pretty", as it might be inappropriate in formal or professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "damn pretty" in business reports, academic papers, or formal presentations. Opt for more professional alternatives like "extremely attractive" or "remarkably beautiful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "damn pretty" functions as an intensifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by emphasizing its attractiveness. Ludwig AI notes that the phrase is informal.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "damn pretty" is an informal intensifying adjective phrase used to express strong admiration for something's appearance. Ludwig AI identifies it as unsuitable for formal writing. Its usage is primarily found in News & Media, with limited applicability in professional or academic settings. While grammatically correct, its informality dictates careful consideration of the context. Alternatives like "extremely attractive" or "strikingly gorgeous" may be more appropriate in formal contexts. Always consider the audience and context when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Drop-dead gorgeous

More intense and dramatic.

Frightfully pretty

Similar intensity, but uses "frightfully" instead of "damn".

Seriously attractive

Modern and slightly less intense.

Extremely attractive

More formal and less emphatic.

Strikingly gorgeous

Highlights the visual impact.

Incredibly beautiful

Emphasizes beauty without the strong language.

Exceptionally good-looking

A more descriptive and less subjective option.

Remarkably lovely

A more refined and sophisticated alternative.

Quite stunning

Understated yet impactful.

Exceedingly beautiful

Formal and somewhat old-fashioned.

FAQs

What does "damn pretty" mean?

It's an informal way of saying something is very attractive or beautiful. The word "damn" intensifies the adjective "pretty".

Is it okay to use "damn pretty" in formal writing?

No, it's generally not appropriate for formal writing. It's better to use alternatives like "extremely attractive" or "incredibly beautiful" in such contexts.

What are some similar phrases to "damn pretty" that I can use?

You can use phrases like "seriously attractive", "strikingly gorgeous", or "drop-dead gorgeous", depending on the level of intensity you want to convey.

How can I use "damn pretty" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone or something you find very attractive, such as, "That dress looks damn pretty on you!" or "This phone is damn pretty, I love its design."