What does prettify mean?
Prettify is a verb meaning to make something look more attractive, appealing, or presentable. It is often used for improvements that are primarily visual, such as decorating a room, polishing a website, or enhancing a photograph. In a more critical context, “prettify” can mean to present an unpleasant or complicated situation in a more flattering and deceptive way, as in “the report prettifies the data.” The word is informal and has a mildly dismissive undertone because it can suggest that the underlying problem remains unchanged. It is useful when discussing both surface improvements and the tendency to sanitize an account of events.
To make something more attractive or pleasing, especially in appearance.
"The new lighting helped prettify the gallery."
Often informal; frequently suggests an improvement that is mainly cosmetic.
To represent or describe something as more attractive, favourable, or appealing than it really is.
"The advertisement seemed to prettify the company’s difficult financial results."
Usually critical or ironic, implying that the underlying facts are being obscured.
“Prettify” can mean either to improve something’s appearance or to present reality in a more flattering light.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prettify come from?
“Prettify” is a 19th-century formation from the adjective “pretty” plus the suffix “-ify,” meaning “to make” or “to become.” The related word “prettiness” was already in use for the quality of being pretty. The verb “beautify” follows a similar formation and reflects the long-standing English distinction between an adjective describing attractiveness and a verb describing the act of making something attractive.
Related word forms
How prettify is actually used
The word is informal and sometimes implies cosmetic or superficial improvement. Its second sense can imply that a misleadingly favourable impression is being created.
Easily confused with prettify
“Pretty” is an adjective describing something as attractive, whereas “prettify” is a verb describing the act of making it more attractive.