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pretty
2 syllables · also prettier, prettiestYour browser doesn’t have built-in voices. Try Chrome, Edge or Safari.
As an adjective, pretty means pleasant to the sight or other senses. As an adverb, it means somewhat, fairly, quite.
Meanings of pretty
15 meaningsadjective
Pleasant to the sight or other senses; attractive, especially of women or children.
Of objects or things: nice-looking, appealing.
often pejorativeFine-looking; only superficially attractive; initially appealing but having little substance; see petty.
Cunning; clever, skilful.
ironicAwkward, unpleasant.
Pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
“pretty girl”
“pretty song”
“pretty room”
(used ironically) unexpectedly bad
“a pretty mess”
“a pretty kettle of fish”
Older and rare meanings (2)
datedModerately large; considerable.
datedExcellent, commendable, pleasing; fitting or proper (of actions, thoughts etc.).
adverb
Somewhat, fairly, quite; sometimes also (by meiosis) very.
dialectPrettily, in a pretty manner.
To certain extent or degree
“pretty big”
“pretty bad”
“jolly decent of him”
Similar: reasonably, moderately, jolly, somewhat, fairly, middling
noun
A pretty person; a term of address to a pretty person.
Something that is pretty.
“We'll stop at the knife store and look at the sharp pretties.”
verb
To make pretty; to beautify
Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).