pretty

[prit-ee]

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.

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.

pretty

/ 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

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pretty¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of pretty¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. sitting pretty,

   1. in an advantageous position.

   2. well-to-do; successful.

More idioms and phrases containing pretty

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

Example Sentences

“There’s a pretty clear incentive for a fiscally responsible Congress and a fiscally responsible administration to make sure this backstop is working properly,” Gardner said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Regis le Bris' side, the pre-season relegation favourites, have surpassed all expectations on their return to the Premier League and are sitting pretty in the European places for now.

Read more on BBC

Most of them appeared pretty busy, yet all swore they really were retired.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And he answers, “Isn’t it pretty to think so?”

Read more on Salon

You can speak really, really quietly, even in pretty loud places, and it will pick up what you are saying.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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

When To Use

What are other ways to say pretty?

Something or someone that is pretty is pleasing to the eye. But calling someone pretty isn’t quite the same as calling them beautiful, handsome, or lovely. Find out why on Thesaurus.com.