/ ˈprɪti; NAmE / adverb , adjective
■ adverb (with adjectives and adverbs)
1.
to some extent; fairly :
I'm pretty sure I'll be going.
The game was pretty good.
It's pretty hard to explain.
I'm going to have to find a new apartment pretty soon.
➡ note at quite
2.
very :
That performance was pretty impressive.
Things are looking pretty good!
•
IDIOMS
- pretty much / well
—more at sit
■ adjective ( pret·tier , pret·ti·est )
1.
( especially of a woman, or a girl ) attractive without being very beautiful :
a pretty face
a pretty little girl
You look so pretty in that dress!
➡ note at beautiful
2.
( of places or things ) attractive and pleasant to look at or to listen to without being large, beautiful or impressive :
pretty clothes
a pretty garden
a pretty name
► pret·tily / ˈprɪtɪli; NAmE / adverb ( especially BrE ):
She laughed prettily.
The rooms are simply but prettily furnished.
► pret·ti·ness noun [ U ]:
the prettiness of youth
•
IDIOMS
- as pretty as a picture
- not just a pretty face
- not a pretty sight
- a pretty penny
—more at pass noun
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English prættig ; related to Middle Dutch pertich brisk, clever, obsolete Dutch prettig humorous, sporty, from a West Germanic base meaning trick. The sense development deceitful, cunning, clever, skilful, admirable, pleasing, nice has parallels in adjectives such as canny, fine, nice , etc.