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pret·ty
[prit-ee] adjective, pret·ti·er, pret·ti·est, noun, plural pret·ties, adverb, verb, pret·tied, pret·ty·ing. adjective
1.
pleasing or attractive to the eye, as by delicacy or gracefulness: a pretty face.
2.
(of things, places, etc.) pleasing to the eye, especially without grandeur.
3.
pleasing to the ear: a pretty tune.
4.
pleasing to the mind or aesthetic taste: He writes pretty little stories.
5.
EXPAND(often used ironically) fine; grand: This is a pretty mess!
noun
8.
Usually, pretties. pretty ornaments, clothes, etc.
9.
a pretty person: Sit down, my pretty.
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Sitting pretty
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
adverb
10.
fairly or moderately: Her work was pretty good.
11.
quite; very: The wind blew pretty hard.
12.
Informal. prettily.
verb (used with object)
Idiom13.
to make pretty; improve the appearance of (sometimes followed by up): to pretty oneself for a party; to pretty up a room.
14.
sitting pretty, Informal.
a.
in an advantageous position.
b.
well-to-do; successful.
Origin:
before 1000; Middle English prati(e), pratte, prettie cunning, gallant, fine, handsome, pretty; Old English prættig, prettī cunning, derivative of prǣtt a trick, wile (cognate with Dutch part, pret trick, prank, Old Norse prettr trick, prettugr tricky)
before 1000; Middle English prati(e), pratte, prettie cunning, gallant, fine, handsome, pretty; Old English prættig, prettī cunning, derivative of prǣtt a trick, wile (cognate with Dutch part, pret trick, prank, Old Norse prettr trick, prettugr tricky)
Related forms
pret·ti·ly, adverb
pret·ti·ness, noun
pret·ty·ish, adjective
un·pret·ti·ly, adverb
un·pret·ti·ness, noun
EXPANDun·pret·ty, adjective
COLLAPSEAntonyms
1. ugly.
1. ugly.
Usage note
The qualifying adverb pretty, meaning “fairly or moderately” has been in general use since the late 16th century. Although most common in informal speech and writing, it is far from restricted to them, and often is less stilted than alternatives such as relatively, moderately, and quite.
The qualifying adverb pretty, meaning “fairly or moderately” has been in general use since the late 16th century. Although most common in informal speech and writing, it is far from restricted to them, and often is less stilted than alternatives such as relatively, moderately, and quite.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
noun
1.
the act of a person or thing that sits.
2.
a period of remaining seated, as in posing for a portrait or reading a book.
4.
a brooding, as of a hen upon eggs; incubation.
5.
EXPANDthe number of eggs on which a bird sits during a single hatching; clutch.
6.
a session, as of a court or legislature.
7.
COLLAPSEthe time or space allotted to the serving of a meal to a group, as aboard a ship.
adjective
Idiom8.
(of a bird) occupying a nest of eggs for hatching.
9.
of, for, or suited to sitting: a sitting area in the lobby.
10.
holding an official position or office; occupying an appointed or elected seat; incumbent: a sitting pontiff.
11.
in session or at work; active: a sitting legislature.
12.
sitting pretty, in an auspicious position: He's been sitting pretty since he got that new job.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
|
Link To sitting pretty
American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
sitting pretty definition
In a favorable position: “Abby finally got that promotion, and now she's sitting pretty.”
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary
sitting pretty definition
|
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
sitting pretty
In an advantageous position; also, financially well off. For example, The terms of the will left Mary sitting pretty. Although the use of pretty in the sense of "advantageous" is much older, this colloquialism dates only from the early 1900s. It was given extra currency as the title of two different musicals, Sittin' Pretty (M. Moore, 1921) and Sitting Pretty (G. Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse, 1924).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Word Dynamo By Dictionary.com
Dictionary.com, LLC. Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved.
