pretty
9 ENTRIES FOUND:
prettier;
prettiest
prettier;
prettiest
Britannica Dictionary definition of PRETTY
[also more pretty; most pretty]
1
a
:
attractive to look at usually in a simple or delicate way
— used especially of a girl or woman
-
a pretty dress
-
pretty flowers
-
She has a pretty face.
-
I've never seen her looking so happy or so pretty.
b
:
pleasant to look at or listen to
-
a pretty sunset/room/voice/name/poem
-
That song is pretty. = That's a pretty song.
2
always used before a noun
:
large or impressive
-
He made a pretty profit selling his antique car.
-
She received a pretty sum of money.
3
:
pleasant to see or experience
— usually used in negative statements
-
What a pretty [=nice] day.
-
The game wasn't pretty but at least we won.
-
It isn't going to be pretty when the mayor finds out his son has been arrested.
-
The kitchen was not a pretty sight [=the kitchen was very messy] after we finished making breakfast.
4
always used before a noun,
old-fashioned
:
very unpleasant
-
What a pretty [=terrible] mess you've gotten us into!
-
a pretty [=miserable] state of affairs
a pretty penny
(as) pretty as a picture
old-fashioned
:
very attractive or pleasant to look at
:
very pretty
-
She is as pretty as a picture!
pretty face
◊ Someone who is not just a/another pretty face or more than (just) a pretty face is attractive but also has other good qualities, such as intelligence.
-
If he wants to get people to vote for him, he's got to prove he's more than just a pretty face.
-
She dresses/sings prettily.
2
pretty
/ˈprɪti/
adverb
2
pretty
/ˈprɪti/
adverb
Britannica Dictionary definition of PRETTY
1
:
to some degree or extent but not very or extremely
:
fairly
-
The house was pretty [=moderately, rather] big.
-
It's pretty cold outside.
-
“Did you put the keys on the table?” “I'm pretty sure I did.”
-
The teams are pretty equally matched.
-
The work is pretty hard.
-
I have to leave pretty soon.
-
The movie was pretty good but not great.
-
(US) I'm pretty near/nearly done. [=I'm almost done]
2
:
to a great degree or extent
:
very
-
His injury was pretty bad. [=his injury was bad]
-
We got pretty [=quite] close.
-
They've accomplished some pretty amazing things.
-
She was driving pretty fast.
pretty much/well
informal
:
not completely but mostly
-
His ideas were pretty much ignored at the meeting.
-
It is pretty much the same color.
-
The engine is pretty well shot. [=the engine is almost completely useless]
-
“Are you finished yet?” “Pretty much.” [=just about]
sit pretty
3
pretty
/ˈprɪti/
verb
pretties;
prettied;
prettying
3
pretty
/ˈprɪti/
verb
pretties;
prettied;
prettying
Britannica Dictionary definition of PRETTY
[+ object]
:
to make (something) pretty
— usually + up
-
She prettied the cake with icing, sprinkles, and nuts.
-
The curtains pretty up the room.
-
Landscapers prettied the park up with flowers and bushes.
