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WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024pret•ty /ˈprɪti/USA pronunciation adj., -ti•er, -ti•est, n., pl. -ties, adv., v., -tied, -ty•ing. adj. - pleasing or attractive, esp. in a delicate or graceful way:a pretty face.
- pleasing or charming but not grand or overwhelming:a pretty little cabin in the woods.
- Informal Termsconsiderable; fairly great:[before a noun]This is a pretty mess!
n. [countable] - a pretty person:"I'll get you, my pretty, '' the witch cackled.
adv. - fairly or moderately;
somewhat:We had a pretty good time, but it wasn't great. - quite;
very:The wind blew pretty hard.
v. - to make pretty in appearance: [~ + object]She prettied herself before he came over.[~ + up + object]to pretty up a room.[~ + object + up]Can't you pretty the room up before they come over?
pret•ti•ly /ˈprɪtəli/USA pronunciation adv.: She bowed prettily. pret•ti•ness, n. [uncountable] WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024pret•ty (prit′ē),USA pronunciation adj., -ti•er, -ti•est, n., pl. -ties, adv., v., -tied, -ty•ing. adj. - pleasing or attractive to the eye, as by delicacy or gracefulness:a pretty face.
- (of things, places, etc.) pleasing to the eye, esp. without grandeur.
- pleasing to the ear:a pretty tune.
- pleasing to the mind or aesthetic taste:He writes pretty little stories.
- (often used ironically) fine;
grand:This is a pretty mess! - Informal Termsconsiderable;
fairly great:This accident will cost him a pretty sum. - [Archaic or Scot.]brave;
hardy.
n. - Usually, pretties. pretty ornaments, clothes, etc.
- a pretty person:Sit down, my pretty.
adv. - fairly or moderately:Her work was pretty good.
- quite;
very:The wind blew pretty hard. - Informal Termsprettily.
- Idioms sitting pretty, [Informal.]
- in an advantageous position.
- well-to-do;
successful.
v.t. - to make pretty;
improve the appearance of (sometimes fol. by up):to pretty oneself for a party; to pretty up a room.
- bef. 1000; Middle English prati(e), pratte, prettie cunning, gallant, fine, handsome, pretty; Old English prættig, prettī cunning, derivative of prǣtt a trick, wile (cognate with Dutch part, pret trick, prank, Old Norse prettr trick, prettugr tricky)
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See beautiful.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged –4. pleasant.
- 10.See corresponding entry in Unabridged somewhat.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged ugly.
The qualifying adverb pretty, meaning "fairly or moderately'' has been in general use since the late 16th century. Although most common in informal speech and writing, it is far from restricted to them, and often is less stilted than alternatives such as relatively, moderately, and quite. |