Lexic.us

Definition of Pretty

1. Adjective. Pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing. "Pretty room"

2. Adverb. To a moderately sufficient extent or degree. "He is fairly clever with computers"

3. Adjective. (used ironically) unexpectedly bad. "A pretty kettle of fish"

Definition of Pretty

1. a. Pleasing by delicacy or grace; attracting, but not striking or impressing; of a pleasing and attractive form a color; having slight or diminutive beauty; neat or elegant without elevation or grandeur; pleasingly, but not grandly, conceived or expressed; as, a pretty face; a pretty flower; a pretty poem.

2. adv. In some degree; moderately; considerably; rather; almost; -- less emphatic than very; as, I am pretty sure of the fact; pretty cold weather.

Definition of Pretty

1. Adjective. Cunning; clever, skilful. (defdate from 9th c.) ¹

2. Adjective. Pleasant in sight or other senses; attractive, especially of women or children. (defdate from 15th c.) ¹

3. Adjective. Of objects or things: nice-looking, appealing. (defdate from 15th c.) ¹

4. Adjective. (context: often pejorative) Fine-looking; only superficially attractive; initially appealing but having little substance. (defdate from 15th c.) ¹

5. Adjective. (dated) Moderately large; considerable. (defdate from 15th c.) ¹

6. Adjective. (dated) Excellent, commendable, pleasing; fitting or proper (of actions, thoughts etc.). (defdate from 16th c.) ¹

7. Adjective. (context: ironic) Awkward, unpleasant. (defdate from 16th c.) ¹

8. Adverb. Somewhat, fairly, quite; sometimes also (by meiosis) very. ¹

9. Noun. Something that is pretty. ¹

10. Verb. To make pretty; to beautify ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Pretty

1. pleasing to the eye [adj -TIER, -TIEST] : PRETTILY [adv] / to make pretty [v -TIED, -TYING, -TIES] - See also: pretty

Lexicographical Neighbors of Pretty

prettier pretties prettiest prettification prettifications prettified prettifier prettifiers prettifies prettiful

prettify prettifying prettily prettiness prettinesses pretty (current term) pretty-faced wallaby pretty-pretty pretty-print pretty as a picture

pretty boy pretty boys pretty much pretty penny pretty pictures pretty please pretty please with sugar on top pretty up

Literary usage of Pretty

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Novels of Jane Austen by Jane Austen (1892)
"It is as pretty a letter as ever I saw, and does Lucy's head and heart great credit." Chapter THE Miss Dashwoods had now been rather more than two months in ..."

2. Silas Marner, the Weaver of Raveloe by George Eliot (1895)
"... flowers shone with answering gladness, as the four united people came within sight of them. " Oh father," said Eppie, " what a pretty home ours is II ..."

Other Resources: