How many meanings does the word pretty have

B1 quite , but not extremely :. The house has four bedrooms , so it's pretty big. I'm pretty sure it was her. I've got a pretty good idea of how to get there. B1 almost :. I've pretty much finished here. She knows pretty well everything there is to know on the subject. I guess that things are pretty hard for you now.

It's pretty noisy at night-time. It's pretty unlikely that they'll turn up now - it's nearly ten o'clock. The place emptied pretty quickly when the fight started. Nothing really changes around here.

One day is pretty much like the next. Some and quite. You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics: Almost. Grammar Pretty. A2 pleasant to look at, or especially of girls or women or things relating to them attractive or pleasant in a delicate way:. That's a pretty hat you're wearing. The sofa was covered in very pretty flowery material. She's got such a pretty daughter.

See more results ». She looked pretty in a simple cotton dress. Our hotel room overlooked a pretty little fishing harbour. She was young and pretty, with a spotless reputation.

Related word prettiness noun. Idioms cost sb a pretty penny. My older sister is prettier than I am. Idiom pretty much. Even the word "fairly" is fairly vague: it can also weaken or intensify. I think "pretty" can only be learned through long experience. It's pretty sloppy, casual English. Unlike the perfect present tense, "pretty" doesn't convey hidden subtlety or precision. Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. Improve this answer. Ben Kovitz Ben Kovitz For example: pretty good quite interesting rather long fairly thorough These adverbs have a meaning of "X, but not very, very X".

If we stress the adverb, it emphasises that it wasn't very, very good, very interesting, very short, or very thorough: It was pretty good. It was quite interesting. It was rather long.

It was fairly thorough. However, if we stress the adjective , then it emphasises that it was , indeed, X: It was pretty good.

Hope this is helpful! Araucaria - Not here any more. For comparison, here's another understated phrase, with and without this kind of augmentation.

My point of reference is Australian English, if it matters. Tim Pederick Tim Pederick 6, 19 19 silver badges 38 38 bronze badges. Kevin Krumwiede Kevin Krumwiede 4 4 silver badges 5 5 bronze badges. Featured on Meta. Now live: A fully responsive profile. Linked 0. Related 2. Hot Network Questions. Question feed. Accept all cookies Customize settings. Full Definition of pretty Entry 1 of 4. Definition of pretty Entry 2 of 4.

Definition of pretty Entry 3 of 4. Definition of pretty Entry 4 of 4. Choose the Right Synonym for pretty Adjective beautiful , lovely , handsome , pretty , comely , fair mean exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure. Using Pretty as an Adverb: Usage Guide Adverb Some handbooks complain that pretty is overworked and recommend the selection of a more specific word or advise that pretty should be restricted to informal or colloquial contexts.

Examples of pretty in a Sentence Adjective This white shape stood apart by the hedge alone. From her position he knew it to be the pretty maiden with whom he had not danced. Trifling as the matter was, he yet instinctively felt that she was hurt by his oversight. Miss Bennet he acknowledged to be pretty , but she smiled too much. Adverb By taunting the police, beating drums and throwing rocks, the rioters make it pretty clear that they want not a rational debate but the world's attention … — Fareed Zakaria , Newsweek , 30 Apr.

The work is pretty hard. I have to leave pretty soon. The movie was pretty good but not great. They've accomplished some pretty amazing things. She was driving pretty fast. Verb She prettied the cake with icing, sprinkles, and nuts. Wednesday, July 19 Pretty Plumes. First Known Use of pretty Adjective before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Adverb , in the meaning defined at sense 1a Noun , in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb , in the meaning defined above.

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