pretty

American  

[prit-ee] / ˈprɪt i /

adjective

prettier, prettiest

1. pleasing or attractive to the eye, as by delicacy or gracefulness.

   a pretty face.

   Synonyms:

   attractive

   Antonyms:

   ugly

2. (of things, places, etc.) pleasing to the eye, especially without grandeur.

   Synonyms:

   pleasant

3. pleasing to the ear.

   a pretty tune.

   Synonyms:

   pleasant

4. pleasing to the mind or aesthetic taste.

   He writes pretty little stories.

   Synonyms:

   pleasant

5. (often used ironically) fine; grand.

   This is a pretty mess!

6. Informal.  considerable; fairly great.

   This accident will cost him a pretty sum.

7. Archaic or Scot.  brave; hardy.

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noun

PLURAL

pretties

1. Usually pretties. pretty ornaments, clothes, etc.

2. a pretty person.

   Sit down, my pretty.

adverb

1. fairly or moderately.

   Her work was pretty good.

   Synonyms:

   somewhat

2. quite; very.

   The wind blew pretty hard.

3. Informal.  prettily.

verb (used with object)

prettied, prettying

1. to make pretty; improve the appearance of (sometimes followed byup ).

   to pretty oneself for a party;

   to pretty up a room.

idioms

1. sitting pretty,

   1. in an advantageous position.

   2. well-to-do; successful.

pretty British  

/ ˈprɪtɪ /

adjective

1. pleasing or appealing in a delicate or graceful way

2. dainty, neat, or charming

3. commendable; good of its kind

   he replied with a pretty wit

4. informal  excellent, grand, or fine

   here's a pretty mess!

5. informal  lacking in masculinity; effeminate; foppish

6. vigorous or brave

7. an archaic word for elegant

8. informal  a large sum of money

9. informal  well placed or established financially, socially, etc

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noun

1. a pretty person or thing

adverb

1. informal  fairly or moderately; somewhat

2. informal  quite or very

verb

1. to make pretty; adorn

pretty More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing pretty

• in a fix (pretty pickle)
• kettle of fish, pretty
• sitting pretty

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Usage

The qualifying adverb pretty, meaning “fairly or moderately” has been in general use since the late 16th century. Although most common in informal speech and writing, it is far from restricted to them, and often is less stilted than alternatives such as relatively, moderately, and quite.

Other Word Forms

• prettily adverb
• prettiness noun
• prettyish adjective
• unprettily adverb
• unprettiness noun
• unpretty adjective

Etymology

Origin of pretty

First recorded before 1000; Middle English prati(e), pratte, prettie “cunning, gallant, fine, handsome, pretty”; Old English prættig, prettī “cunning,” derivative of prǣtt “a trick, wile”; cognate with Dutch part, pret “trick, prank,” Old Norse prettr “trick,” prettugr “tricky”

Example Sentences

“You’re not always going to win in the prettiest way,” Reaves said.

From Los Angeles Times

"I thought I was still pretty passionate about the game, but I realised I probably wasn't," says Spencer.

From BBC

Stella was not directly asked this question after the race in Qatar, but it's pretty clear what his answer would have been.

From BBC

This is only the second-most-regrettable indignity visited upon Buddy Holly in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas, but it’s still pretty infuriating.

From The Wall Street Journal

"For us to be slow like that, it's going to be pretty hard for some people somewhere in the town when they all start drawing their water off."

From BBC

Related Words

• attractive
• beautiful
• charming
• cute
• elegant
• good-looking
• graceful
• handsome
• lovely
• neat
• pleasant