pretty

pret-ty · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Attractive in a delicate way without being truly beautiful.

  2. 2.

    (Informal) Pleasant or nice.

  3. 3.

    (Ironic) Used to express annoyance or disapproval.

  4. 4.

    To a moderately high degree; fairly.

  5. 5.

    Almost; nearly.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    pretty much — Almost; nearly.
  • •
    pretty please — Used to emphasize a polite request (often humorous).
  • •
    sitting pretty — In a favorable or advantageous position.
  • •
    not a pretty sight — Unpleasant to see.
  • •
    pretty as a picture — Very attractive.
  • •
    a pretty penny — A large sum of money.

Related words

Antonyms: plain, ugly, unattractive
See also: attractive, beautiful, fairly, lovely
Synonyms: attractive, beautiful, fairly, lovely

Etymology

From Old English prættig ("cunning, crafty, tricky"), from prætt ("trick, craft"). The sense shifted from "crafty" to "clever" to "fine, beautiful" during the Middle English period.