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pretty definition

pretty (prit′ē)

adjective prettier -·tier, prettiest -·ti·est

  1. pleasing or attractive in a dainty, delicate, or graceful way rather than through striking beauty, elegance, grandeur, or stateliness
    1. fine; good; nice: often used ironically a pretty fix
    2. adroit; skillful a pretty move
  3. Archaic elegant
  4. Now Chiefly Scot. brave; bold; gallant
  5. Informal considerable; quite large a pretty price

Etymology: ME prati < OE prættig, crafty < prætt, craft, trick

adverb

  1. fairly; somewhat [pretty sure]: sometimes, by hyperbole, quite or very pretty angry
  2. prettier -·tier, prettiest -·ti·estInformal prettily to talk pretty

noun pl. pretties -·ties

a pretty person or thing

transitive verb prettied -·tied, prettying -·ty·ing

to make pretty: usually with up

Related Forms:

pretty Idioms

sitting pretty

☆
Slang in a favorable position

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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acceptable comparative of "pretty"313 years ago

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