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Definition of pretty much - 2 dictionary results
pret·ty   (prĭt'ē)   
adj.   pret·ti·er, pret·ti·est

  1. Pleasing or attractive in a graceful or delicate way. See Synonyms at beautiful.

  2. Clever; adroit: a pretty maneuver.

  3. Very bad; terrible: in a pretty predicament; a situation that has reached a pretty pass.

  4. Ostensibly or superficially attractive but lacking substance or conviction: full of pretty phrases.

  5. Informal Considerable in size or extent: a pretty fortune.

adv.  

  1. To a fair degree; moderately: a pretty good student.

  2. In a pretty manner; prettily or pleasingly.

n.   pl. pret·ties

  1. One that is pretty.

  2. pretties Delicate clothing, especially lingerie.

tr.v.   pret·tied, pret·ty·ing, pret·ties
To make pretty: pretty up the house.

[Middle English prety, clever, fine, handsome, from Old English prættig, cunning, from prætt, trick.]
pret'ti·ly adv., pret'ti·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Idioms & Phrases

pretty much

Almost, nearly, approximately, as in Our homework was pretty much finished. This adverbial usage differs from the use of pretty for "considerable" (as in pretty penny). [c. 1800]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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