pretty

American  

[prit-ee] / ˈprɪt i /

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.

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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.

idioms

1. sitting pretty,

   1. in an advantageous position.

   2. well-to-do; successful.

pretty British  

/ 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

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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

pretty More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing pretty

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

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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

Etymology

Origin of pretty

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”

Example Sentences

"For creators it reinforces a pretty brutal reality that Facebook is no longer a reliable traffic engine and Meta is increasingly nudging it away from people trying to use it as one," Mr Navarra said.

From BBC

And that feels pretty good to not have any doubts, until he crashes.

From Los Angeles Times

The Bills’ strong season this year has been “pretty fortuitous,” she added.

From Los Angeles Times

A man who still has the same Christmas lights that his mother bought in 1956 says it is "pretty incredible" that they still work.

From BBC

It did so in the same fashion it had in pretty much every game since Rice went down, by leaning on Baker-Mazara and Ausar, who are averaging a combined 38 points per game.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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