prettypretty2 ●●● S2 W3 adjective (comparative prettier, superlative prettiest) 
a pretty little girl Maria looks much prettier with her hair cut short.► see thesaurus at beautiful2something that is pretty is pleasant to look at or listen to but is not impressive: a pretty dress The tune is pretty. What a pretty little garden!3not a pretty sight very unpleasant to look at – sometimes used humorously: After a night’s drinking, Al was not a pretty sight.4not just a pretty face spoken used humorously to say that someone is intelligent, when people think this is surprising: I’m not just a pretty face, you know!5come to a pretty pass old-fashioned used to say that a very bad situation has developed: Things have come to a pretty pass, if you can’t say what you think without causing a fight.6cost a pretty penny old-fashioned to cost a lot of money7pretty as a picture old-fashioned very pretty—prettily adverb: Charlotte sang very prettily.—prettiness noun [uncountable]
WORD ORIGINpretty2
Origin:
Old English prættig ‘tricky’, from prætt ‘trick’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- pretty flowers
- A pretty girl like you should have a boyfriend.
- a pretty village on the Suffolk border
- Doesn't she look pretty with her hair up?
- Maureen's really pretty, isn't she?
- Nancy is younger than I am and much prettier.
- She has a pretty face.
- The room was decorated with pretty wallpaper with yellow flowers on it.
- They had an aquarium with lots of pretty little fish.
- We walked down the pretty, tree-lined avenue.
- What a pretty watch!
- You have a really pretty voice.
- A very long time ago, she must have been pretty.
- And see how he always touches her head, gives her the prettiest ribbons for her braid?
- I felt really emotional as I gazed at her, realising how fast my pretty little girl was growing up.
- She was at times a pretty woman.
- Their pretty lace design is repeated on the side tables, lamps and blanket box.
- Then she added, My sister will be even prettier.
- They were far from being a pretty sight but he forced himself to carry out as thorough an investigation as he could.
THESAURUSperson
a beautiful woman or child has perfect good looks: · Grace Kelly was a very beautiful woman.· a beautiful baby
a good-looking person looks nice. Good-looking is very common in spoken English: · He’s a good-looking guy, but he’s a bit boring.· Do you think she’s good-looking?
an attractive person looks nice, especially in a way that makes you feel sexually interested in them: · She’s a very attractive woman.· A lot of women find him attractive.
a pretty girl or woman looks nice – used especially about a woman who has a nice face: · You look pretty with your hair down.· She has a very pretty face.
a handsome man or boy looks nice – used especially about a man who has a nice face. Handsome is also sometimes used, especially in literature, to describe a woman who is good-looking and has a strong face: · He was tall, dark, and handsome.· She was a big, handsome woman.
spoken extremely attractive. Gorgeous is used especially by women: · She thinks Brad Pitt is gorgeous.· You look absolutely stunning in that dress!
spoken nice to look at – used about animals, babies, children, and young adults: · a cute little puppy· She thinks you’re cute!
spoken used when saying that someone looks very nice: · You look lovely tonight.
place/thing etc used to describe something that looks, feels, sounds etc so good that it gives you a lot of pleasure: · a beautiful tropical beach· a beautiful song· The weather was beautiful.
spoken used when saying that something looks, feels, or sounds very nice: · What a lovely day!· a lovely voice· a lovely perfume
pleasant to look at – often used about things that are not big or impressive: · a pretty little pink dress· a pretty village
pleasant to look at. Attractive sounds more formal than pretty: · an attractive white-painted cottage with green shutters· an attractive city
very big, beautiful, and impressive – used about buildings, objects, and views: · The Taj Mahal always looks magnificent.· a magnificent Persian carpet· There were magnificent views over the old city.
written pleasant to look at – used in written descriptions of towns, buildings, and places: · the picturesque harbour town of Castleton· Regensburg Cathedral occupies a picturesque position on the River Danube in Bavaria.
extremely beautiful and impressive – used especially about views: · All around is a stunning view of Cape Town.· The landscape is breathtaking.
used to describe things that have very beautiful small details, especially things that have been made with a lot of skill: · an exquisite piece of jewellery· an exquisite flower· an exquisite picture of a bird of paradise
designed in a way that looks very attractive and has a lot of style: · an elegant Neo-Classical building· a long and elegant staircase
Longman Language Activatorthing/building also lovely especially British use this about a thing or building that looks extremely good, and gives you a feeling of pleasure: · "Do you like the house?" "Like it? It's beautiful!"· Thanks for the flowers - they're lovely!· This is one of Europe's loveliest churches.
use this about an object that is small and delicate, or things in your home such as curtains and carpets: · The room was decorated with pretty wallpaper with yellow flowers on it.· What a pretty watch!
very beautiful and very impressive - use this about a large and impressive building or piece of furniture, especially an old one: · The room was dominated by a magnificent four-poster bed.· a magnificent 15th century castle
extremely beautiful and of the highest quality: · The lilies we got from the flower market were absolutely superb.· a superb collection of Chinese porcelain· In the center of the crown is a superb diamond.
especially British, spoken use this about a beautiful thing that you admire very much: · I love your dress! It's such a gorgeous colour!· The apartment had been furnished in rich, deep colors and gorgeous fabrics.
very beautiful - use this about jewellery or other things that have been designed with a lot of care and made with a lot of skill: · an exquisite handcarved ivory brooch· The sets and costumes for the dance performance were exquisite.
use this about a building, a piece of furniture, or a piece of clothing that is beautifully designed in a simple but usually expensive way: · We first met him at an elegant hotel in the uptown district of Manhattan.· an elegant rosewood dining table· She was wearing an elegant black suit.
pleasant to look at: · Kitchen utensils should be attractive as well as functional.· This attractive book is an ideal gift for any young baseball fan.
especially British pleasant to look at: · The dress was such a lovely colour, a deep blue that really suited her.· It was a lovely big house with a big garden out the back.
written something such as a building, piece of furniture, or work of art that is splendid is beautiful and impressive: · In the centre of the room was a splendid 18th century oak table.· Wealthy nobles inhabited splendid villas in the surrounding countryside.
something that is stunning is very beautiful so that everyone notices and admires it: · Rafaella wore a stunning white satin wedding gown.· Knox's metal statues are stunning.
an arrangement, design etc that is artistic looks attractive and has been done with skill and imagination: · I love your Christmas decorations - they're very artistic.· The food was presented in an artistic way.
place/countryside/view use this about a place that everyone admires and likes to visit: · Florence is such a beautiful city.· Cornwall has some of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Britain.· a restaurant with beautiful views over Sorrento and the Gulf of Naples
especially British use this about a place that is beautiful in a way that makes you feel relaxed and gives you a lot of pleasure: · The hills will be lovely at this time of year.· You are so lucky to live here with all this lovely countryside around you.· The garden was looking lovely.
use this about a view that is extremely beautiful and extremely impressive: · The view from the top of the mountain was stunning.· We got a breathtaking view of the Golden Gate Bridge.· The ruins of Angkor Wat are truly breathtaking.
use this about an area where there are beautiful, large, and impressive mountains, valleys, rivers etc: · The location of the town along the river is magnificent.· the magnificent mountains around Lake Titicaca
use this about a village or town that is pretty in an old-fashioned way: · We visited the picturesque fishing village of Lochinver.· He rents a small house in the picturesque old quarter of town.
use this about a road that goes through beautiful countryside: · We travelled to the coast by a very scenic route.· a scenic road through the Welsh mountains
pleasant to look at but not really impressive: · We walked down the pretty, tree-lined avenue.· a pretty village on the Suffolk border
British an area or place that people visit because it is especially beautiful: · There are several beauty spots to visit in Crete.· People were protesting because the council planned to build a new road through Burleigh Wood, a local beauty spot.
woman use this about a woman who is extremely attractive in a way that is fairly unusual and special, so that people notice and admire her: · Standing in the doorway was a beautiful woman with long black hair and green eyes.· Karen was even more beautiful than I had remembered.· She has a beautiful smile.· You look beautiful tonight.
use this about a woman who is nice to look at and has an attractive face and body: · Ginny was tall and good-looking.· A good-looking young woman in a business suit came into the room.· She seems to get better-looking the older she gets.
use this about a young woman or girl who has an attractive face and is good-looking, but not in an unusual way: · Maureen's really pretty, isn't she?· A pretty girl like you should have a boyfriend.· She has a pretty face.· Doesn't she look pretty with her hair up?
use this about a woman who is good-looking, especially in a way that makes people sexually interested in her: · Frances was a charming and attractive girl.· Bob's wife is a very attractive womanfind somebody attractive: · A lot of men find plump women attractive.
especially spoken use this about a woman who looks pleasant and friendly but is not extremely pretty: · My mother was always a nice-looking woman.
especially American, spoken use this about a girl or young woman who is pretty and sexually attractive: · Do you like Jill Anderson? I think she's cute!· Heidi is the cutest girl in my class.
especially spoken use this to emphasize that a woman is extremely attractive, in a sexual way: · That woman on "Baywatch" - I think she's gorgeous.· You look absolutely gorgeous in that dress!
use this about a woman who looks like a beautiful actress or as if she is very rich, and has an attractive body and wears expensive clothes: · The picture showed a glamorous young woman sitting in a sports car.· glamorous Hollywood movie stars of the 1950s
use this about a woman who is extremely beautiful and sexually attractive, in a way that everyone notices and admires: · Men always stared when she looked good, and today she was stunning.· Mother came out of her room, looking stunning in her silk dressing gown.
use this about a woman who is tall and attractive, and wears clothes that are simple but have a lot of good style: · An elegant young woman sat at the next table, sipping a cocktail.· Jody manages to look elegant, even in a simple pantsuit.
use this about a woman who is very attractive, especially because she has a particular feature that is beautiful and unusual: · Even at 75, Alice is still a striking woman.· Celia had striking brown eyes like some Russian icon.· With her mass of black hair and pale skin she looked very striking.
especially British if a woman looks lovely , she looks very attractive: · He told his wife that evening that she had never looked lovelier.· Claire was young and lovely, but rather shy.
very good-looking and sexually attractive - used especially in humorous descriptions: · The farmer had three daughters, all three blonde and ravishing.· Cynthia looked positively ravishing this evening.
written a very beautiful woman: · In her youth she had been a woman of great beauty.
animal use this about an animal that looks extremely attractive and impressive: · a beautiful bird with bright blue feathers· That's a beautiful dog. What kind is he?
use this about an animal that is attractive, especially because it is small or is brightly coloured: pretty bird/fish/cat/feathers/fur etc: · They had an aquarium with lots of pretty little fish.
also sweet especially British use this about a pet or a baby animal that looks nice in a way that makes people want to look after it: · cute little kittens· She has a funny old dog - he's really sweet!
use this about an animal or a large bird that is very beautiful and impressive because it is large and strong or beautifully coloured: · The horse was a magnificent creature with a gleaming jet black coat.· a magnificent golden eagle· The Siberian Tiger is a magnificent animal.
dressed, arranged, decorated etc in a beautiful way · This is a beautifully illustrated book.· The flowers were placed in a beautifully decorated vase.· "What do you think about the garden?" "You've done it beautifully!"
in a way that is pleasant to look at: · Helen is always prettily dressed.· Marie arranged the radishes prettily on a plate.
in a way that makes something very pleasant to look at, especially in order to make people want it: · We hope to sell goods by packaging them attractively.· All her friends were younger, prettier and more attractively dressed.
in a beautiful way that is simple, but usually expensive: · Tom's mother was an elegantly dressed gray-haired woman.· The bedroom was elegantly decorated with deep-blue and gold wallpaper.
in a very delicate, careful, and beautiful way: · In the box was a pair of exquisitely shaped old earrings.· The tiny china doll was exquisitely ornate.
in a way that looks attractive and has been done with a lot of skill and imagination: · Red and blue flowers were artistically arranged to form a pattern.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Things have come to a pretty pass, if you can’t say what you think without causing a fight.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Lucy is quite clever and does well at school. The police have a pretty good idea who did it.
Things have come to a pretty pass, if you can’t say what you think without causing a fight. Lucy is quite clever and does well at school.· It’s going to be quite cold today.
(=more expensive than you expect)· I think £1000 for a bed is rather expensive.
· Her face was beautiful in the morning light.
· They admired the lovely flowers in the garden.
The police have a pretty good idea who did it. informal (=lucky, but not extremely lucky)· We were pretty lucky with the weather on this holiday.
(=pleasant)· The pianist played a sweet melody.
· His family all seem pretty normal.
· I’m pretty sure it was the same woman who called the office last week.
· I may have thrown it away by mistake, but that’s pretty unlikely.
· The book is pretty useless for today's students.
· There are many pretty villages nearby.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· If you take away the image all that's left is a bunch of exceptionally pretty boys making some very ordinary music.· My my my, whatta pretty boy you are.· You are a pretty boy, isn't he a pretty boy, Bob?· Who was that pretty boy in Ovid?· You are a pretty boy, isn't he a pretty boy, Bob?· Stay pretty, there's a good boy. 1 bet your young girl likes pretty boys.
· That's a very pretty dress you're wearing.· She told him to bring her a pretty dress and her best handkerchief.· She took particular care with her preparations and chose a light, pretty dress and sensational earrings.· Drowsily, achingly she allowed him to explore her flesh where it was revealed above the neckline of her pretty dress.· But I've walked past so many pretty dresses and little socks with lacy tops, I'd almost given up.· In a lighter mood, shaped pretty dresses are stamped with graphic modern florals.· They were very clean and tidy, and Phyllis was wearing her prettiest dress.· She seldom wore the pretty dresses or smart suits that Scarlet bought her, preferring her rags.
· He was always a horrid little boy for all his pretty face, and now he's a horrid man.· He could be suckered in by a soft story or a pretty face.· But she had the prettiest face and the sweetest smile you've ever seen.· Her dark, pretty face glittered there in front of me.· And his pretty face hasn't changed in all that time.· Her hair was parted in the middle and drawn back from a round, pretty face.· Pity to cut such a pretty face but she'd asked for it.· Tis not a feeling of yesterday, to be effaced by the first pretty face which crosses my path.
· The pretty garden has its own trout lake.· It has ten acres of land and a pretty garden of roses and rhododendrons.· The guest lounge overlooks the pretty garden.
· He'd fallen in love with a pretty girl who had nice ways and was sweet to kiss and cuddle.· There was the pretty girl from the village shop wearing an emerald-green dress more suited to a wedding.· Martha is a pretty girl, self-assured and opinionated, quite a handful.· Out of the mouth of this serious, pretty girl came an impenetrable, sub-literate provincial dialect.· There were some pretty girls, too.· It's like life itself - the prettiest girls are always on the Up escalator when you're on the Down.· Or, if you will marry pretty girls.
· But I got this story pretty good, I think.
· At one time, Mr Jarvis the coalman paid a pretty penny just to park his waggons there.· It had, whatever way, and all night long for all she knew, to amount to a pretty penny.
· And the charter made a pretty picture.· Not a pretty picture, is it?· But the countryside is more than just a pretty picture.· This is not going to be a pretty picture.· All in all, not a pretty picture.· She wanted more than the two dimensions of pretty pictures, more than the garbled pidgin of kitchen natives.· To the untrained eye, pretty pictures count for more than interesting spectra; neither are they without scientific interest.· However, we were able to obtain the results for 1989 through 1991, and they do not paint a pretty picture.
· It's not a pretty sight to finish in a classic fire and fall position.· It may turn out to be a pleasant surprise or a not-so-pretty sight.· It is not a pretty sight to see people so hurt.· And now we have the unlikely and not altogether pretty sight of Bob Dole tearing up in public like a road-company Pagliacci.· Afterwards I visited the boys and they were not a pretty sight.· Not a pretty sight -- they went far beyond editorial endorsement.· It's really a pretty sight, captain, built of Tennessee marble like one of those old palaces in Florence.· He is not a pretty sight.
· A school-boy's exercise may be a pretty thing for a school-boy; but is no treat for a man.· She was most the prettiest thing I ever looked at, and her eyes were shut.· Now all the pretty things sat around in the present, and all they did was make her regret the past.· It was the prettiest thing I ever saw.
· Now it is a pretty village, much frequented by tourists.· Cycling: Cycle hire is available in the town centre and many pretty villages are within easy reach.· Alfriston is a very pretty village with a children's zoo.· Caldbeck is a pretty village with several attractions, including a spinning workshop and John Peel's grave.
· His head would never again be turned by a pretty woman.· Secondtier pretty women have senses of humor because we have to. 6.· He saw a rather pretty woman, not very young, with an air of good breeding that somehow attracted him.· She was at times a pretty woman.· Oh, pretty woman, walk my way!· A clever, pretty woman who was certain to delight Tsu Ma.· I figured from my vantage point that the pretty women went west, and the smart ones went east.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► cost a pretty penny► not just a pretty face► come to a pretty passPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► as pretty/smart etc as the dickens► come to a pretty/sorry pass► be in a (pretty) pickle
1a woman or child who is pretty has a nice attractive face: - Francesca was as pretty as a picture and apparently glowing with health.
- Property: Not quite as pretty as a picture A house committed to canvas is a house that's easy to sell.
- Rachel looked as pretty as a picture, her lovely body warmly covered by a grey riding cloak lined with miniver fur.
- She looked surprised, and threw up her hands, pretty as a picture, then began to set the chessmen afresh.
- Are you sure you want to come in? It's not a pretty sight.
- Afterwards I visited the boys and they were not a pretty sight.
- All directors, including Spielberg, grow up, and in this film the result is not a pretty sight.
- He is not a pretty sight.
- It's not a pretty sight to finish in a classic fire and fall position.
- It is not a pretty sight to see people so hurt.
- What these portraits give you is a glimpse of Lowry's psychic state, and it's not a pretty sight.
- At that stage in the campaign, she was sitting pretty in the polls.
a pretty little girl Maria looks much prettier with her hair cut short.► see thesaurus at beautiful2something that is pretty is pleasant to look at or listen to but is not impressive: a pretty dress The tune is pretty. What a pretty little garden!3not a pretty sight very unpleasant to look at – sometimes used humorously: After a night’s drinking, Al was not a pretty sight.4not just a pretty face spoken used humorously to say that someone is intelligent, when people think this is surprising: I’m not just a pretty face, you know!5come to a pretty pass old-fashioned used to say that a very bad situation has developed: Things have come to a pretty pass, if you can’t say what you think without causing a fight.6cost a pretty penny old-fashioned to cost a lot of money7pretty as a picture old-fashioned very pretty—prettily adverb: Charlotte sang very prettily.—prettiness noun [uncountable]