pretty

pretty · adjective, adverb, noun, verb¹

1. Proto-Germanic · inherited from*prattugaz“boastful, sly, slick, deceitful, tricky, cunning”
2. Proto-West Germanic · inherited from*prattug
3. Old English · inherited fromprættiġ“tricky, crafty, sly, cunning, wily, astute”
4. Middle English · inherited fromprety
5. English todaypretty

From Middle English prety, preti, praty, prati, from Old English prættiġ (“tricky, crafty, sly, cunning, wily, astute”), from Proto-West Germanic *prattug, from Proto-Germanic *prattugaz (“boastful, sly, slick, deceitful, tricky, cunning”), corresponding to prat (“trick”) + -y. Doublet of pratty. Cognate with Dutch prettig (“nice, pleasant”), Low German prettig (“funny”), Icelandic prettugur (“deceitful, tricky”). For the semantic development, compare canny, clever, cute.

Pretty · proper noun²

1. Sanskrit · borrowed fromप्रीति
2. English todayPretty

From Sanskrit प्रीति (prīti).

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 15th c. Pleasant to the sight or other senses; attractive, especially of women or children.
• from 15th c. Of objects or things: nice-looking, appealing.
• from 15th c. Fine-looking; only superficially attractive; initially appealing but having little substance; see petty.
• from 9th c. Cunning; clever, skilful.
• from 15th c. Moderately large; considerable.
• from 16th c. Excellent, commendable, pleasing; fitting or proper (of actions, thoughts etc.).
• from 16th c. Awkward, unpleasant, bad.