Pretty definition
Clever; adroit.
A pretty maneuver.
adjective
To a fair degree; moderately.
A pretty good student.
adverb
Pleasing or attractive in a graceful or delicate way.
adjective
A pretty person or thing.
noun
One that is pretty.
noun
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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
Ostensibly or superficially attractive but lacking substance or conviction.
Full of pretty phrases.
adjective
(informal) Considerable in size or extent.
A pretty fortune.
adjective
Very bad; terrible.
In a pretty predicament; a situation that has reached a pretty pass.
adjective
In a pretty manner; prettily or pleasingly.
adverb
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To make pretty.
Pretty up the house.
verb
Pretty is defined as fairly or somewhat.
An example of pretty is someone having a somewhat good time at a party.
adverb
Delicate clothing, especially lingerie.
noun
(archaic) Elegant.
adjective
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(now chiefly scot.) Brave; bold; gallant.
adjective
(informal) Considerable; quite large.
A pretty price.
adjective
Fine; good; nice.
I'm in a pretty fix.
adjective
Adroit; skillful.
A pretty move.
adjective
(informal) Prettily.
To talk pretty.
adverb
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Fairly; moderately.
Pretty sure.
adverb
(informal) Quite or very.
Pretty angry.
adverb
To make pretty.
verb
Pleasant in sight or other senses; attractive, especially of women or children. [from 15th c.]
adjective
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(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
Pleasing or attractive in a dainty, delicate, or graceful way rather than through striking beauty, elegance, grandeur, or stateliness.
adjective
pretty much
- For the most part; mostly:
idiom
pretty nearly
- mostly, almost, more or less, etc.I used up pretty nearly all of the flour.
idiom
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sitting pretty
- in a favorable position
idiom
Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
pretty
Plural:
prettiesAdjective
Base Form:
pretty
Comparative:
prettier
Superlative:
prettiestIdioms 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