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pretty Definition

pretty (prit′ē)

adjective -·tier, -·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. -·tier, -·ti·estInformal prettily to talk pretty

noun pl. -·ties

a pretty person or thing

transitive verb -·tied, -·ty·ing

to make pretty: usually with up

pretty Related Forms

pret′·tily adverb pret′·ti·ness noun pret′·ty·ish adjective

pretty Idioms

sitting pretty

☆

Slang in a favorable position

pretty Synonyms

pretty

modif.

  1. Attractive

    attractive, comely, lovely, good-looking; see beautiful 1.

  2. Pleasant

    delightful, cheerful, pleasing; see pleasant 2.

  3. *Considerable

    ample, sizeable, notable; see large 1, much 1, 2.

  4. Somewhat

    rather, tolerably, a little; see moderately.

sitting pretty*

in a favorable position, prospering, thriving; see successful. See syn. study at beautiful.

pretty Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • village: The mornings ride was quite blissful, cycling through pretty villages in warm sunshine on long, quiet roads.
  • penny: In the basement of the house, which must have cost the set designers a pretty penny, ghosts are locked in glass cells.
  • girl: Rather a pretty girl returned to her flat opposite St Dennis Lane.
  • sight: THE funding of political campaigns is seldom a pretty sight.
  • cottage: Hostels range in size and comfort - from former shooting lodges to pretty village cottages and Victorian mansions.
  • garden: Lanes lined with old cob cottages and pretty gardens wind off the main street.

Modifying Another Word

  • impossibly: Chipping Campden is another impossibly pretty place with lots of nice little shops, tea-rooms and pubs to while away an hour or two.
  • very: This is a very pretty display piece for your antique chic or vintage chic interior.
  • really: Best Friends - This is a really pretty blend of fruity florals.
  • little: Plus you may notice this is a little prettier than Hollywood Boulevard.
  • also: K das contributor Yea, Van Helsing looks like CG overload but also pretty fun.
  • not: But often they're not pretty paintings, even tho that might be the first impression.

Used with adjective complement

look: This looks prettier, but is no easier to use than the previous system.