What does “pretty good” mean?
"Pretty good" has two common uses. It can mean "I’m doing well" in conversation, and it can also mean "quite good" or "fairly good" when you describe something.
When people say it
- Answering "How are you?": "Pretty good! How about you?"
- Giving a good overall answer, then adding detail: "Pretty good. Just a little tired."
- Talking about your weekend or life: "Pretty good. I cooked and saw friends."
- Describing quality or service: "pretty good service" means fairly good service.
Tone: It is casual and natural, positive but not very excited, so it is usually softer than "great".
In 6 of Lin's scenes
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Other ways to say it
A common reply for "How are you?" It sounds a little more understated.
Often used for answering "How are you?" or talking about your condition. It is slightly more formal.
Close in meaning, often used for quality or results. It can sound a little less casual than "pretty good".
Quick answers
Does "pretty good" mean "very good"?
Not usually. It is positive, but it is often a little weaker than "really good" or "great".
Can I say "Pretty good" to answer "How are you?"
Yes. It is a very normal answer, and people often add "How about you?" after it.