strikingly pretty

USAGE SUMMARY

"strikingly pretty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that stands out due to their beauty. For example: "The sunset was strikingly pretty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Her hair is big, blond and unmoving; she is petite, perky and strikingly pretty.

The New York Times

She is tall, coltish and strikingly pretty with huge doe eyes; her looks betray her celebrity pedigree.

The New York Times

She was strikingly pretty, with fair skin and a heart-shaped face, and she wore blue eyeshadow and dark eyeliner.

The New Yorker

She greeted Allison with a hug, and Allison, who has long straight black hair and is strikingly pretty, got right to work.

The New Yorker

The strikingly pretty, flaxen-haired 24-year-old lives in a cottage in Gøta - it is not done to flaunt success here.

The Guardian - Music

Strikingly pretty, brightly outfitted in Prada, her face smooth in what she freely admits was a lift, and an amusing turn of phrase.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

You can see this tendency pretty strikingly in his 1990 "Frankenstein Unbound," the only movie he has directed since 1971.

The New York Times

Publicity stunt or not – the songs are actually pretty strikingly similar – it won the Boards a lot of attention and a UK-tour support slot with the Charlatans.

The Guardian - Music

Strikingly, the visuals are pretty much the opposite of what you're hearing abstract scenes of metallic-black water, amorphous figures and scuzzy analog glitches contrast with the music's arena-sized maximalism.

Vice

Apparently becoming a vampire robs you of the power to put across an emotion persuasively, and while Bella looks lovely or at least strikingly styled, she's also pretty much a stiff.

The New York Times

The laziness of the prose results in, for example, the following descriptions of various women – "beautiful", "very pretty", "quite beautiful", "strikingly beautiful", "a rare beauty", and "the most beautiful woman in the world".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: "strikingly pretty" works well in descriptive narratives, character introductions, and settings where appearance is relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "strikingly pretty" in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral or sophisticated term might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "remarkably attractive" or "exceptionally beautiful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strikingly pretty" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to describe someone or something possessing a noticeable and attractive appearance. It combines an adverb of degree ("strikingly") with an adjective of aesthetic quality ("pretty"). As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly acceptable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "strikingly pretty" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone or something with a noticeable and pleasing appearance. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate in various descriptive contexts, especially in news and media. While not overly formal, it's essential to consider the context and choose alternatives like "strikingly beautiful" or "remarkably attractive" for more sophisticated writing. When you need to emphasize that something or someone stands out in their beauty, "strikingly pretty" is a suitable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strikingly beautiful

More formal and focuses on overall beauty, rather than just being 'pretty'.

stunningly attractive

Emphasizes the impact of the attractiveness; suggests a strong impression.

remarkably attractive

Focuses on general attractiveness rather than specifically 'pretty' features; broader in application.

exceptionally beautiful

Emphasizes a higher degree of beauty; more formal and intense.

noticeably lovely

Highlights that the loveliness is easily observed; less intense.

particularly good-looking

More general term; can apply to both men and women; focuses on overall appearance.

unusually charming

Shifts focus to the charm aspect, implying an attractive personality as well.

decidedly beautiful

Similar to 'exceptionally beautiful' but perhaps slightly less intense.

plainly gorgeous

Contrasts simplicity with stunning beauty; adds an element of surprise.

visibly appealing

Focuses on the visual aspect and its positive effect; less intense.

FAQs

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

You can use "strikingly pretty" to describe someone or something whose beauty is easily noticed and leaves a strong impression. For example: "She was a strikingly pretty woman with long blonde hair".

What's a good alternative to "strikingly pretty"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "remarkably attractive", "exceptionally beautiful", or "stunningly attractive".

Is "strikingly pretty" too informal for professional writing?

While "strikingly pretty" is generally acceptable, in some formal contexts, it might be more appropriate to use a more sophisticated term like "strikingly beautiful" or "remarkably attractive".

What's the difference between "strikingly pretty" and "strikingly beautiful"?

"Strikingly pretty" suggests a more delicate and conventionally attractive appearance, while "strikingly beautiful" implies a more profound and impactful beauty. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.