Pretty meaning
Clever; adroit.
A pretty maneuver.
adjective
The definition of pretty is someone or something that is attractive in a delicate way.
An example of pretty is a nice sunset.
An example of pretty is actress Ellen Page.
adjective
Pretty is defined as fairly or somewhat.
An example of pretty is someone having a somewhat good time at a party.
adverb
Pleasing or attractive in a graceful or delicate way.
adjective
Ostensibly or superficially attractive but lacking substance or conviction.
Full of pretty phrases.
adjective
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One that is pretty.
noun
A pretty person or thing.
noun
Very bad; terrible.
In a pretty predicament; a situation that has reached a pretty pass.
adjective
Considerable in size or extent.
A pretty fortune.
adjective
To a fair degree; moderately.
A pretty good student.
adverb
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In a pretty manner; prettily or pleasingly.
adverb
Delicate clothing, especially lingerie.
noun
To make pretty.
Pretty up the house.
verb
Pleasing or attractive in a dainty, delicate, or graceful way rather than through striking beauty, elegance, grandeur, or stateliness.
adjective
Elegant.
adjective
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Brave; bold; gallant.
adjective
Considerable; quite large.
A pretty price.
adjective
Prettily.
To talk pretty.
adverb
To make pretty.
verb
Pleasant in sight or other senses; attractive, especially of women or children. [from 15th c.]
adjective
(dated) Moderately large; considerable. [from 15th c.]
adjective
(dated) Excellent, commendable, pleasing; fitting or proper (of actions, thoughts etc.). [from 16th c.]
adjective
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Something that is pretty.
"We'll stop at the knife store a look at the sharp pretties.
noun
pretty much
- For the most part; mostly:.
idiom
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pretty nearly
- Mostly, almost, more or less, etc.I used up pretty nearly all of the flour.
idiom
sitting pretty
- In a favorable position.
idiom
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
Origin of pretty
- Middle English prety clever, fine, handsome from Old English prættig cunning from prætt trick
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle English prety, preti, praty, prati, from Old English prættiÄ¡ (“tricky, crafty, sly, cunning, wily, astute"), from Proto-Germanic *prattugaz (“boastful, sly, slick, deceitful, tricky, cunning"), corresponding to prat (“trick") +"Ž -y. Cognate with Dutch prettig (“nice, pleasant"), dialectal German (East Friesland) prettig (“funny"), Low German pratzig (“arrogant, boastful, haughty"), German protzig (“showy, ostentatious, swanky, pretentious"), Icelandic prettugur (“deceitful, tricky"). For the sense-development, compare canny, clever, cute.
From Wiktionary