Purty
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "purty" is the common pronunciation (and often the spelling) of "pretty." It can describe appearance, size, or degree - just like "pretty" in standard English.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
If you grew up down here, chances are it comes out 'purty' instead of 'pretty.' Purty sure, at least. Hillbilly Dude Says...
If you grew up down here, chances are it comes out 'purty' instead of 'pretty.' Purty sure, at least. Pronunciation
[PURR-tee]
/ˈpɜːrti/ (regional) · [PRIT-ee]
/ˈprɪti/ (standard)
/ˈpɜːrti/ (regional) · [PRIT-ee]
/ˈprɪti/ (standard)
Meaning & Usage
- Attractive, nice-looking (adjective)
Mae:
How’s she look?
How’s she look?
Earl:
She’s purty as a picture.
She’s purty as a picture.- Fairly; quite (adverbial use)
Mae:
Was it good?
Was it good?
Earl:
Yeah, purty good.
Yeah, purty good.variations: pretty (standard), purty near ("pretty near"), purty good ("pretty good")
★ "Purty" preserves the older British and Southern vowel shift of "pretty" → "purty." It’s one of the most recognizable Appalachian pronunciations and often appears in humorous writing and songs. ★
Origin and Etymology
Recorded in regional speech across the South and Appalachia for generations. Reflects a natural vowel change in unstressed syllables, creating the "ur" sound in place of "i."
Usage Notes
Still widely heard today. Outside the region "purty" can look quaint or playful but is instantly understood as "pretty."
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it natural: "purty" rhymes with "dirty." Use it for "pretty" or "quite" as in "purty near."
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 21). Purty. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/purty
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Purty." HillbillySlang.com, 21 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/purty.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Purty." HillbillySlang.com. September 21, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/purty.
Most Popular
Latest Accents
Latest Sayings
Latest Slang
Latest Southernish
About
Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...