pretties

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of pretty.

   Grandmother let us choose one of her pretties from the dresser.

   The market stall was crowded with beads, ribbons, and other pretties.

   Note

   The plural carries both meanings of the noun: things that are pretty, usually small ornaments or trinkets, and pretty people, a use that also works as a term of address. The spelling follows the regular rule for a consonant before y, which changes to ies. The same spelling also serves as the verb meaning "beautifies", so context tells you whether pretties are objects or an action.

2. 2
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present of pretty.

   The decorator pretties each storefront for the holiday season.

   She pretties the report with charts before sending it to the board.

   Note

   Behind this form is a verb meaning to make pretty or beautify, and it is frequently completed by the particle up. Both versions take a direct object: someone pretties a report, or pretties up a room. When the object is a pronoun, up usually follows it, as in she pretties it up.

   He pretties up the old bookshelf with a coat of blue paint.

   Every spring she pretties it up with fresh flowers.

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