pretty

Less common meanings

4. 4
   shallowadjectivederogatory

   Nice on the outside but with nothing real behind it.

   Like a shiny box with nothing inside.

   It was a pretty speech with no real promises in it.

   His apology sounded pretty but meant nothing at all.

   UsageOften used in pretty words or a pretty speech.

   Similarfine, empty, glib, showy

   Note
5. 5
   dress upverbtransitive

   To make something look nicer or more attractive.

   Volunteers worked to pretty the town square before the fair.

   We pretty up the classroom with paper flowers every spring.

   UsageSay pretty up a room. Write prettied and prettying.

   Similarbeautify, decorate, adorn, embellish

   Oppositemar, spoil

   Note
6. 6
   darlingnouncountable

   A good-looking person, or a kind name used for an attractive person.

   Come here, my pretty, and sit by the fire.

   The old witch cackled, "I'll catch you yet, my pretty."

   Similarbeauty, darling, dear, sweetheart

   Note
7. 7
   adjectivedated

   Fairly large in amount or size.

   The repairs ended up costing a pretty sum of money.

   "What did you do to your hair?" The answer could be worth a pretty penny for L'Oreal.

   2004, “Because They're Worth it”, in TimeHere, pretty means fairly large, so a good amount of money.

   UsageSay something cost a pretty penny: it cost a lot.

   Similartidy, handsome, considerable, hefty, substantial

   Oppositepaltry, meager, small

   Note
8. 8
   small ornamentnouncountable

   A nice-looking little thing, such as a small ornament or decoration.

   Grandma keeps all her little pretties on a shelf by the window.

   Grandma keeps her little pretties on the shelf by the window.

   UsageOften said as pretties.

   Similartrinket, bauble, ornament, decoration

   Note
9. 9
   like a girladjectivederogatoryUK

   Said of a man or boy who seems girlish or unmanly, often as an insult.

   The other boys jeered that he was too pretty to last in the boxing club.

   Down the pub they wrote him off as a bit pretty, no good for heavy work.

   Similareffeminate, girly

   Oppositemanly, masculine, rugged

   Note
10. 10
    adjectivedated

    Very good, fitting, and worthy of praise.

    Similarfine, admirable, commendable, fitting, excellent

    Note
11. 11
    skillfuladjective

    Clever, skillful, and good at doing something the smart way.

    That was a pretty trick, opening the lock with just a hairpin.

    She made a pretty move to win the chess game.

    Similarclever, cunning, crafty, skillful, adept

    Oppositeclumsy, inept

    Note
12. 12
    gracefullyadverbdialectal

    In a pleasing or graceful way.

    The birds sing so pretty outside my window every morning.

    He plays the fiddle pretty, just like his father did.

    UsageSay prettily. Pretty well means fairly well.

    Similargracefully, nicely, sweetly, beautifully

    Note
13. 13
    adjective

    Neatly formatted and easy to read, following normal style rules.