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

1obsolete a: wanton, dissolute b: coy, reticent2 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>4obsolete : trivial5 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