Main Entry: nice

Pronunciation: \ˈnīs\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): nic·er; nic·est

Etymology: Middle English, foolish, wanton, from Anglo-French, silly, simple, from Latin nescius ignorant, from nescire not to know — more at nescience

Date: 14th century

1 obsolete a : wanton, dissolute b : coy, reticent
2 a : showing fastidious or finicky tastes : particular <too nice a palate to enjoy junk food> b : exacting in requirements or standards : punctilious <a nice code of honor>
3 : possessing, marked by, or demanding great or excessive precision and delicacy <nice measurements>
4 obsolete : trivial
5 a : pleasing, agreeable <a nice time> <a nice person> b : well-executed <nice shot> c : appropriate, fitting <not a nice word for a formal occasion>
6 a : socially acceptable : well-bred <from a nice family> b : virtuous, respectable <was taught that nice girls don't do that>
7 : polite, kind <that's nice of you to say>

synonyms see correct

— nice adverb

— nice·ly adverb

— nice·ness noun