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Definitions for: Pretty
[adv] intensifier, as in"pretty big"; "pretty bad"; (`jolly' is used informally in Britain as in"jolly decent of him")
[adj] pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing; "pretty girl"; "pretty song"; "pretty room"
[adj] (used ironically) unexpectedly bad; "a pretty mess"; "a pretty kettle of fish"
Webster (1913) Definition: Pret"ty, a. [Compar. Prettier; superl. Prettiest.]
[OE. prati, AS. pr[ae]ttig, pr[ae]tig, crafty, sly, akin to
pr[ae]t, pr[ae]tt, deceit, trickery, Icel. prettugr tricky,
prettr a trick; probably fr. Latin, perhaps through Celtic;
cf. W. praith act, deed, practice, LL. practica execution,
practice, plot. See Practice.]
1. 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.
This is the prettiest lowborn lass that ever Ran on
the greensward. --Shak.
2. Moderately large; considerable; as, he had saved a pretty
fortune. ``Wavering a pretty while.'' --Evelyn.
3. Affectedly nice; foppish; -- used in an ill sense.
The pretty gentleman is the most complaisant in the
world. --Spectator.
4. Mean; despicable; contemptible; -- used ironically; as, a
pretty trick; a pretty fellow.
5. Stout; strong and brave; intrepid; valiant. [Scot.]
[He] observed they were pretty men, meaning not
handsome. --Sir W.
Scott.
Syn: Elegant; neat; fine. See Handsome.
Pret"ty, adv.
In some degree; moderately; considerably; rather; almost; --
less emphatic than very; as, I am pretty sure of the fact;
pretty cold weather.
Pretty plainly professes himself a sincere Christian.
--Atterbury.
Synonyms: bad, beautiful, jolly
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