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

There will be no winter break in this campaign either - meaning clubs will be playing pretty much solidly until the first World Cup qualifiers - and next Nations League games - take place in March.

From BBC

“If you get hurt and you can never play hockey again, being able to have a Harvard degree is something that I think is pretty attractive.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Maybe it doesn’t look pretty on the stat sheet, but it’s serving a greater purpose,” Roman said.

From Los Angeles Times

The rejection was “a pretty poignant sign of the times in a state like California,” said John Kabateck, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, which had urged voters to vote no.

From Los Angeles Times

“That was deliberate. So, the environment is constantly evolving and changing, and it’s not just for the sense of looking pretty. It’s there to kind of help us understand these characters.”

From Los Angeles Times

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.