pretty

[ prit-ee ]

/ ˈprɪt i /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: pretty / prettied / prettier / prettiest on Thesaurus.com

adjective, pret·ti·er, pret·ti·est.

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.

noun, plural pret·ties.

Usually pretties. pretty ornaments, clothes, etc.

a pretty person: Sit down, my pretty.

adverb

fairly or moderately: Her work was pretty good.

quite; very: The wind blew pretty hard.

Informal. prettily.

verb (used with object), pret·tied, pret·ty·ing.

to make pretty; improve the appearance of (sometimes followed by up): to pretty oneself for a party; to pretty up a room.

OTHER WORDS FOR pretty

1 attractive.

2-4 pleasant.

10 somewhat.

See synonyms for pretty on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR pretty

1 ugly.

See antonyms for pretty on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about pretty

sitting pretty, Informal.

in an advantageous position.
well-to-do; successful.

Origin of pretty

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)

usage note for pretty

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 WORDS FROM pretty

pret·ti·ly, adverbpret·ti·ness, nounpret·ty·ish, adjectiveun·pret·ti·ly, adverb

un·pret·ti·ness, nounun·pret·ty, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pretty in a sentence

It helped me look in the mirror and feel younger and prettier.
The Unsinkable Lee Grant Sets the Record Straight|William O’Connor|July 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After all, why would you want to read in a longer and prettier form something that's already been published?
A Brief Meditation on Blogging|Justin Green|May 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Later she says that Hillary is “just a phase” for Bill, before pressing her to wear something prettier for her boy.
Some of the Juiciest Bits of ‘Rodham,’ the Hillary Clinton Movie Biopic: Sex, Scandal, More|Marlow Stern|May 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The whole thing is a substantive sop to the GOP right wing wrapped in a prettier package.
The New GOP Ploy Is Way More Radical|Michael Tomasky|January 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST

“[The] overwhelming pressure to be thinner, prettier, and sexier begins subtly,” she says on her website.
Livestrong’s Trademark Bullying Record Revealed|Alex Heard|March 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
What can be prettier than a brood of chickens with a good motherly hen, like the one in this picture!
The Nursery, July 1873, Vol. XIV. No. 1|Various
Isn't our new home lots prettier than the little brick house where we used to live—77 Brown Street, Baltimore!
Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond
The children of such couples are prettier, and appear to me to be more intelligent, than the pure race of either.
Journal of a Voyage to Brazil|Maria Graham
They mostly go together, women and trouble; and the prettier the women are, the greater the trouble, that's my experience.
The Light That Lures|Percy Brebner
Among the girls in the party none was prettier or more charmingly gowned than Marian.
A Hoosier Chronicle|Meredith Nicholson

British Dictionary definitions for pretty

pretty

/ (ˈprɪtɪ) /

adjective -tier or -tiest

pleasing or appealing in a delicate or graceful way

dainty, neat, or charming

commendable; good of its kindhe replied with a pretty wit

informal, often ironic excellent, grand, or finehere'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

noun plural -ties

a pretty person or thing

adverb

informal fairly or moderately; somewhat

informal quite or very

verb -ties, -tying or -tied

(tr often foll by up) to make pretty; adorn

Derived forms of pretty

prettily, adverbprettiness, noun

Word Origin for pretty

Old English prættig clever; related to Middle Low German prattich obstinate, Dutch prettig glad, Old Norse prettugr cunning

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

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

pretty

OTHER WORDS FOR pretty

OPPOSITES FOR pretty

Idioms about pretty

Origin of pretty

usage note for pretty

OTHER WORDS FROM pretty

Words related to pretty

How to use pretty in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pretty

Derived forms of pretty

Word Origin for pretty

Other Idioms and Phrases with pretty