pretty boy

Definition of pretty boy

informal + usually disparaging

: a man who is notably good-looking also : dandy sense 1

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about pretty boy

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of pretty boy in a Sentence

Movie critics seem to finally agree that this pretty boy can act. a downtown dance club with lots of pretty boys in attendance

Recent Examples on the Web The most prominent white character, the longshoremen Big Blonde — note the feminizing e on his nickname — is infatuated with a pretty boy called Petit Frere. — Michael Dirda, Washington Post, "Claude McKay abandoned ‘Romance in Marseille’ because it was too daring. He was just ahead of his time.," 5 Feb. 2020 Does that demean him, or re-trivialize him as the pretty boy he was once taken to be? — Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, "Oscar Picks From the Journal’s Joe Morgenstern," 5 Feb. 2020 Not a pretty boy, but handsome is as handsome does. — Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, "The Red Caddy," 24 Apr. 2018 Keith Urban shares the 'Texas' love at RodeoHouston Stapleton is like an outlaw alien of some sort who landed amid the pretty boys, polished ballads and bro anthems that populate RodeoHouston. — Joey Guerra, Houston Chronicle, "Chris Stapleton's second spin at RodeoHouston is as good as his first," 17 Mar. 2018 Around the gilded bar circled socialites, influencers, glamazons, pretty boys, and pop idols of every shape, gender, color, and age. — Ian Malone, Vogue, "Disco Was Not Dead at The Blonds’s After-Party," 13 Feb. 2019 Not a pretty boy, but handsome is as handsome does. — Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, "The Red Caddy," 24 Apr. 2018 There’s a pretty boy named Ivan, a collection of wise and large-minded older people. — Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, "Alan Hollinghurst’s Long Journey," 30 Mar. 2018 Subconsciously, my affection for pretty boys has continued into adulthood. — Alim Kheraj, GQ, "You're (Gay) Crushing It, Bro," 15 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pretty boy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about pretty boy

Dictionary Entries near pretty boy

pretty-by-night

Statistics for pretty boy

Cite this Entry

“Pretty boy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretty%20boy. Accessed 24 Jan. 2021.

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

insouciance

Listen to the pronunciation of insouciance

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times

What is an earlier meaning of nice?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Anagram puzzles meet word search.