| 释义 |
adverb | adjective | verb prettypretty1 /ˈprɪt̮i/ ●●● S1 W2 adverb [+ adj./adv.] informal THESAURUSmore than a little, but much less than very► fairlymore than a little, but much less than very: The house has a fairly large yard. She speaks English fairly well. ► reasonably fairly. Used when someone or something is satisfactory, but not perfect: The team is playing reasonably well, but they could do better. ► pretty informal pretty means the same as fairly: I’m pretty good at math, but I’m better at English. ► quite fairly, and more than you expected: I was surprised – the food at the cafe was quite good! ► rather rather means the same as fairly but sounds more formal: They beat the other team rather easily and went on to the finals. ► moderately formal in the middle between a little and very: The series was only moderately successful when it was first shown. 1fairly, but not completely: I thought the test was pretty easy. “How are you doing?” “Pretty good.”► see thesaurus at fairly2very SYN quite: Six o’clock? That’s pretty early.3pretty much spoken almost completely: They’re all pretty much the same. “Are you sure you know how to work this?” “Pretty much.”4pretty near spoken almost: I pretty near froze to death out there.5pretty please spoken humorous said to emphasize that you really want something when you are asking someone for it: Can I go? Pretty please? → see also be sitting pretty at sit (9) adverb | adjective | verb prettypretty2 ●●● S1 W2 adjective (comparative prettier, superlative prettiest) ETYMOLOGYpretty2Origin: Old English prættig tricky, from prætt trick THESAURUSsomeone or something that is beautiful is very nice to look at► beautifulsomeone or something that is beautiful is very nice to look at: She is a beautiful woman. The scenery was incredibly beautiful. ► pretty nice to look at. Used especially about women, girls, places, and things. Pretty is not as strong as beautiful: I thought Marla was the prettiest girl in the room. The flowers were really pretty. ► attractive nice to look at. Used about adults, places, buildings, and rooms: He is an attractive guy, but I don’t think he is very interesting. The restaurant has an attractive, modern style. ► good-looking/nice-looking attractive. Used about adults, especially men: Hannah’s boyfriend is very good-looking. ► handsome very good-looking. Used about men or boys: Jared’s a nice guy and very handsome. ► cute nice to look at. Used about babies, children, and small animals, girl’s clothes, and small things. You can also use cute as an informal way to describe an attractive young woman or man: Look at the cute little kittens! Diana is smart and cute, and she makes me laugh. She was wearing a cute top. ► lovely very pretty in a pleasing way. Used about women, older girls, places, and clothes: She has a lovely face with big dark eyes. The hills around the city looked lovely in the evening light. ► gorgeous very beautiful or handsome. Used especially by women: The most gorgeous man I have ever seen walked into the bar. The actress wore a gorgeous blue dress. ► striking beautiful in a way that is unusual or impressive. Used about adults: The CEO was a striking woman in a dark suit. ► stunning extremely beautiful in a way that surprises or excites you. Used especially about women, places, and views: She has beautiful skin and a stunning face. The view of the Alaskan coast from the ship was stunning. ► breathtaking extremely beautiful. Used especially about a large area of land or water: The scenery, as we drove through the hills, was breathtaking. ► magnificent very beautiful, and very large or impressive. Used about mountains, large buildings, etc.: The cathedral is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. ► exquisite formal very beautiful. Used about things with a lot of small details that have been made with a lot of care: The drawings are exquisite and you can see every detail on the people's faces. 1a pretty woman or girl has a nice attractive face: a pretty little girl Maria looks much prettier with her hair cut short.► see thesaurus at beautiful2pleasant to look at or listen to, without being very beautiful or impressive: a pretty dress pretty flowers You have a really pretty voice.3not a pretty picture/sight very bad, upsetting, or worrying: The plane was completely destroyed – it’s not a pretty sight.4pretty as a picture very pretty5not just another/a pretty face humorous someone who not only looks attractive, but also has other good qualities or abilities6a pretty boy or man looks attractive, but in a way that is more typical of a girl or a woman7cost/pay/spend, etc a pretty penny old-fashioned to cost, pay, spend, etc. a lot of money: The house cost a pretty penny.—prettily adverb—prettiness noun [uncountable] adverb | adjective | verb prettypretty3 verb pretty somebody/something ↔ up phrasal verb informal to try to make someone or something look more attractive or acceptable to people: A bright scarf can pretty up any outfit. |