pretty

[ prit-ee ]

adjective

, pret·ti·er, pret·ti·est.

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 pret·ties.

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)

, pret·tied, pret·ty·ing.

1. to make pretty; improve the appearance of (sometimes followed by up ):

   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. a pretty penny informal.
   a large sum of money
9. sitting pretty 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. troften foll byup to make pretty; adorn

Usage Note

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.

Derived Forms

• ˈprettily, adverb
• ˈprettiness, noun

Other Words From

• 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

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, Informal.
   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

“It’s probably going to be a pretty fun experience,” Zachary said.

From Los Angeles Times

The pretty good: Executives said they expected sales this quarter of $37.5 billion, an outlook that narrowly bested analyst forecasts.

From New York Times

I was a pretty quiet kid, so I was pretty shy.

From Los Angeles Times

And he does lack all those things, as well as pretty much any conventional bourgeois virtue you can name.

From Salon

His passing accuracy is pretty solid at 86.9%, but his number of attempted passes is among the lowest.

From BBC

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.