きれい・綺麗・奇麗kirei[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. na-adjectivepretty; lovely; beautiful; fair
   この芋虫いもむしがきれいな蝶ちょうになるのだ。↗

   This caterpillar will become a beautiful butterfly.
2. na-adjectiveclean; clear; pure; tidy; neat
   この辺あたりは空気くうきがきれいだよ。↗

   The air is pure around here.
3. na-adjectivecompletely; entirelyas 〜に

• Synonym美しいうつくしいNeutralLyrical beauty with a literary feel, also for abstract things like hearts and friendship; 「綺麗」 is more colloquial and also means clean.
• Synonym清潔せいけつNeutralHygienic cleanliness, as in 「清潔なタオル」; also an upright character, as in 「清潔な人柄」.
• Synonym清らかきよらかWrittenWritten word for clear purity, as in 「清らかな水」「清らかな心」, with a sacred feel.
• SynonymクリーンNeutralLoanword for clean or corruption-free, as in 「クリーンエネルギー」「クリーンな政治」.
• SynonymビューティフルCasualColloquial loanword, mostly an exclamation or part of a name; uncommon in daily use.
• Synonym清いきよいNeutralPure, clear water or hearts, as in 「清い心」; leans literary, while 「綺麗」 is more colloquial.
• Synonym明媚めいびWrittenWritten term for lovely scenery, seen mostly in 「風光明媚」; never for people or cleanliness.
• SynonymあでやかWrittenWritten word for a woman's glamorous, alluring beauty, as in 「艶やかな着物姿」, with a gorgeous feel.
• Synonym見目麗しいみめうるわしいWrittenBookish, old-fashioned word for lovely looks and bearing; elegant but rare in everyday speech.
• Synonym麗しいうるわしいWrittenLiterary word for beauty, also for moving bonds of affection like 「麗しい友情」.
• Synonym佳麗かれいWrittenWritten word for stately beauty or a beautiful woman; very rare.
• Synonym端麗たんれいWrittenWritten word for well-ordered, handsome features; often in four-character phrases like 「容姿端麗」.
• Synonym秀麗しゅうれいWrittenWritten word for graceful beauty, mostly of mountains and faces, as in 「眉目秀麗」.
• Synonym美麗びれいWrittenWritten word for gorgeous beauty, used mostly attributively, as in 「美麗な装丁」.
• Synonym小奇麗こぎれいNeutralNeat and tidied up, as in 「小奇麗な部屋」; a milder degree of cleanliness than 「綺麗」.
• Related可愛らしいかわいらしいNeutralSmall, endearing cuteness, mostly for children and small animals; 「綺麗」 leans toward dignified good looks.
• Related華やかはなやかNeutralGorgeous, eye-catching colors, or liveliness and prosperity, as in 「華やかな舞台」; stresses glamour.
• Related愛らしいあいらしいNeutralLovable charm, as in 「愛らしい笑顔」; a touch more refined than 「可愛い」.
• Related可憐かれんWrittenWritten word for touchingly delicate loveliness, mostly of young girls and small flowers.
• Related華麗かれいWrittenWritten word for splendor and brilliance, as in 「華麗な技」; stresses showy excellence.
• Related愛くるしいあいくるしいNeutralInnocent, adorable charm, mostly for babies and small animals.
• Related優雅ゆうがNeutralElegant bearing or a leisurely life, as in 「優雅な暮らし」; stresses refined poise.
• Related流麗りゅうれいWrittenWritten word for flowing grace in prose, music or lines, as in 「流麗な文章」.
• Related絶佳ぜっかWrittenWritten word for superb scenery, as in 「眺望絶佳」; common in ads and travel writing.
• Related典雅てんがWrittenWritten word for classic, dignified elegance, mostly of artistic styles.

For 'pretty' or 'clean' in everyday speech, 「綺麗」 is the default. In written, lyrical contexts use 「美しい」; for cuteness 「可愛らしい」; for gorgeous brilliance 「華やか」; for hygienic cleanliness 「清潔」; for scenic beauty 「明媚」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 光り輝ひかりかがやいて美うつくしいこと。そのさま。