purty
Pretty, said the Southern way; also fairly, as in purty good.
Also called purdy, perty.
Updated September 24, 2026
purty pronunciation
/PUR-dee/
Meaning
Purty is pretty with the sounds flipped. It can mean good-looking, like a purty sunset over the ridge. It can also mean fairly or quite, like purty cold or purty near done. Redneck and Appalachian talk uses both senses without fuss.
How folks use it
- “That's a purty little pup you got there.”
- “I'm feeling purty good after that nap.”
Origin and etymology
A classic metathesis of pretty, where the r and vowel swap places. Same sound change that turned thrid into third in older English. DARE lists purty across the South, Appalachia, and Midland folk speech, including phrases like purty near and purty good.
Frequently asked questions
Is purty only about looks?
No. It also works like fairly or quite. Purty good means pretty good.