different between attractive vs prettify

English

Etymology

From Middle French attractif, from Late Latin attractivus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??t?ækt?v/
• Rhymes: -ækt?v

Adjective

attractive (comparative more attractive, superlative most attractive)

1. Causing attraction; having the quality of attracting by inherent force.
2. Having the power of charming or alluring by agreeable qualities; enticing.

   That's a very attractive offer.

3. Pleasing or appealing to the senses, especially of the opposite sex.

   He is an attractive fellow with a trim figure.

Synonyms

• (causing attraction): magnetic
• (having the ability to charm): See Thesaurus:attractive
• (pleasing or appealing to the senses): See Thesaurus:beautiful

Antonyms

• (having the power of charming): repulsive, ugly
• (pleasing or appealing to the senses): repulsive, ugly
• unattractive

Hyponyms

Related terms

Translations

References

• attractive on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• attractive in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• attractive in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /a.t?ak.tiv/

Adjective

attractive

1. feminine singular of attractif

Latin

Adjective

attract?ve

1. vocative masculine singular of attract?vus

English

Etymology

From pretty +? -fy.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?p??t?f??/

Verb

prettify (third-person singular simple present prettifies, present participle prettifying, simple past and past participle prettified)

1. To make pretty or prettier, to make more attractive, especially only in a superficial way. [from 17th c.]
   • 2011, ‘Land of the wasted talent’, The Economist, 5 Nov 2011:

     Old-fashioned bosses see their role as prettifying the office and forming a pool of potential marriage partners for male employees.

Translations