prettiness

UK: /ˈprɪtinɪs/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pret•ty /ˈprɪti/   adj., -ti•er, -ti•est, n., pl. -ties, adv., v., -tied, -ty•ing. 
adj. 

1. pleasing or attractive, esp. in a delicate or graceful way:
   a pretty face.
2. pleasing or charming but not grand or overwhelming:
   a pretty little cabin in the woods.
3. Informal Terms considerable; fairly great:
   [before a noun] This is a pretty mess!

n. [countable]

4. a pretty person:
   "I'll get you, my pretty, '' the witch cackled.

adv. 

5. fairly or moderately;
   somewhat:
   We had a pretty good time, but it wasn't great.
6. quite;
   very:
   The wind blew pretty hard.

v. 

7. 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/  adv.: 

She bowed prettily.

pret•ti•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pret•ty  (prit′ē), adj., -ti•er, -ti•est, n., pl. -ties, adv., v., -tied, -ty•ing. 
adj. 

1. pleasing or attractive to the eye, as by delicacy or gracefulness:
   a pretty face.
2. (of things, places, etc.) pleasing to the eye, esp. without grandeur.
3. pleasing to the ear:
   a pretty tune.
4. pleasing to the mind or aesthetic taste:
   He writes pretty little stories.
5. (often used ironically) fine;
   grand:
   This is a pretty mess!
6. Informal Terms considerable;
   fairly great:
   This accident will cost him a pretty sum.
7. [Archaic or Scot.] brave;
   hardy.

n. 

8. Usually, pretties. pretty ornaments, clothes, etc.
9. a pretty person:
   Sit down, my pretty.

adv. 

10. fairly or moderately:
    Her work was pretty good.
11. quite;
    very:
    The wind blew pretty hard.
12. Informal Terms prettily.
13. Idioms sitting pretty, [Informal.]
    • in an advantageous position.
    • well-to-do;
      successful.

v.t. 

14. 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)

pret′ti•ly, adv. 
pret′ti•ness, n. 
pret′ty•ish, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. See beautiful. 
• 2. –4. pleasant.
• 10. somewhat.

Antonyms

• 1. ugly.

Usage

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.