Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
pretty-awful
idiom
/ˈprɪtiˈɔːfəl/
Definition
A term used to describe something that is surprisingly bad or of poor quality, often used to express a mix of disbelief and disappointment.
Examples
- This movie was pretty-awful, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
- His pretty-awful excuse for being late didn’t convince anyone.
- Despite its pretty-awful reviews, I actually found the book quite enjoyable.
Meaning
Despite containing the word ‘pretty,’ which often implies something favorable, ‘pretty-awful’ conveys a negative connotation, highlighting the unexpected severity of a situation or object’s poor nature.
Synonyms
- terrible
- atrocious
- dreadful
- appalling
- bad
