pretty

Pronunciation: /ˈprɪti/

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Definition of pretty

adjective (prettier, prettiest)

1(of a person, especially a woman or child) attractive in a delicate way without being truly beautiful:a pretty little girl with an engaging grin
(of a thing) pleasing to the eye or the ear:a pretty summer dress

2 [attributive] informal used ironically to express annoyance or displeasure:he led me a pretty dance

adverb

[as submodifier] informal

to a moderately high degree; fairly:he looked pretty fit for his age

noun (plural pretties)

informal

an attractive thing, especially a trinket:he buys her lots of pretties—bangles and rings
used to refer in a condescending way to an attractive person:six pretties in sequined leotards

verb (pretties, prettying, prettied)

[with object]

make pretty or attractive:she’ll be all prettied up and ready to go in an hour

Phrases

pretty much (or nearly or well): informal very nearly:the case is pretty well over
a pretty penny: informal a large sum of money: that car must have cost a pretty penny
pretty please: used as a wheedling form of request.
be sitting pretty: informal be in an advantageous situation:if she could get sponsors, she would be sitting pretty

Derivatives

prettily
prettiness
prettyish

Origin:

Old English prættig; related to Middle Dutch pertich 'brisk, clever', obsolete Dutch prettig 'humorous, sporty', from a West Germanic base meaning 'trick'. The sense development 'deceitful, cunning, clever, skilful, admirable, pleasing, nice' has parallels in adjectives such as canny, fine, nice, etc.

pretty in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of pretty in the US English dictionary

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Other

pretty

adjective (prettier, prettiest)

adverb

noun (plural pretties)

verb (pretties, prettying, prettied)

Phrases

pretty much (or nearly or well)

a pretty penny

pretty please

be sitting pretty

Derivatives

prettily

prettiness

prettyish

Origin:

pretty in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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