pretty
pleasing or attractive to the eye, as by delicacy or gracefulness: a pretty face.
(of things, places, etc.) pleasing to the eye, especially without grandeur.
pleasing to the ear: a pretty tune.
pleasing to the mind or aesthetic taste: He writes pretty little stories.
(often used ironically) fine; grand: This is a pretty mess!
Informal. considerable; fairly great: This accident will cost him a pretty sum.
Archaic or Scot. brave; hardy.
Usually pretties. pretty ornaments, clothes, etc.
a pretty person: Sit down, my pretty.
fairly or moderately: Her work was pretty good.
quite; very: The wind blew pretty hard.
Informal. prettily.
to make pretty; improve the appearance of (sometimes followed by up): to pretty oneself for a party;to pretty up a room.
Idioms about pretty
sitting pretty, Informal.
in an advantageous position.
well-to-do; successful.
Origin of pretty
1usage note For pretty
Other words for pretty
Opposites for pretty
Other words from pretty
- pret·ti·ly, adverb
- pret·ti·ness, noun
- pret·ty·ish, adjective
- un·pret·ti·ly, adverb
- un·pret·ti·ness, noun
- un·pret·ty, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use pretty in a sentence
Tom Brady, the prettiest of pretty boys, leads the Patriots.
‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits | Emily Shire | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThat year, she was dubbed the “prettiest photographer in the world” by U.S. Camera magazine.
They also were dubbed “the prettiest boys in rock” for their fashionable image and glamorous music videos shot in exotic locales.
Duran Duran on 30th Anniversary of ‘Rio,’ the Olympics, James Bond, and More | Marlow Stern | July 3, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTBut even the girl that was the most confident, prettiest girl in my high school was not like some Lolita like a bat out of hell.
‘Community’: Alison Brie, Yvette Nicole Brown, Gillian Jacobs & Megan Ganz Roundtable | Jace Lacob | February 28, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTShe packed her own suitcase for the cruise with all her prettiest clothes.
Last Hope for Costa Concordia’s Missing as Ship Tanks Risk Bursting | Barbie Latza Nadeau | January 20, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
A little corral for the sheep, and a rough shed for the pony, and the home was complete: far the prettiest home they had ever had.
Ramona | Helen Hunt JacksonThe first evening we went to it, and he, unobserved, made furtive sketches of the most prominent people and the prettiest girls.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph TatlowI know for a fact, that his race horses literally ran away with the prettiest bit of Kentucky farming land I ever laid eyes upon.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinWith her self-depreciation she was one thing that she was not likely to guessthe prettiest talker in the world.
Tessa Wadsworth's Discipline | Jennie M. DrinkwaterCollars or sleeves, pinned over or tightly strained to meet, will entirely mar the effect of the prettiest dress.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence Hartley
British Dictionary definitions for pretty
/ (ˈprɪtɪ) /
pleasing or appealing in a delicate or graceful way
dainty, neat, or charming
commendable; good of its kind: he replied with a pretty wit
informal, often ironic excellent, grand, or fine: here's a pretty mess!
informal lacking in masculinity; effeminate; foppish
Scot vigorous or brave
an archaic word for elegant
a pretty penny informal a large sum of money
sitting pretty informal well placed or established financially, socially, etc
a pretty person or thing
informal fairly or moderately; somewhat
informal quite or very
(tr often foll by up) to make pretty; adorn
Origin of pretty
1Derived forms of pretty
- prettily, adverb
- prettiness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with pretty
In addition to the idioms beginning with pretty
- pretty as a picture
- pretty much
- pretty penny, a
also see:
- in a fix (pretty pickle)
- kettle of fish, pretty
- sitting pretty
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse