nice

nice

adj \ˈnīs\

nic·ernic·est

Definition of NICE

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>

— nice adverb

— nice·ly adverb

— nice·ness noun

Examples of NICE

1. I hope you all had a nice time.
2. It's so nice to see you again.
3. It's nice to be back home.
4. It's nice to know that you're all right.
5. It would be nice to try something different.
6. We had a very nice dinner.
7. “Hello, my name is Sara.” “It's nice to meet you, Sara.”
8. It's nice to see you, Luis. How have you been?
9. She wears the nicest clothes.
10. He looks nice in his new suit.

Origin of NICE

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to NICE

Synonyms: befitting, correct, decent, decorous, de rigueur, genteel, proper, polite, respectable, seemly

Antonyms: improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, indelicate, unbecoming, ungenteel, unseemly

Related Words: acceptable, adequate, satisfactory, tolerable; dress, dressy, formal; dignified, elegant, gracious; priggish, prim, stiff, stuffy; apt, material, relevant; compatible, congenial, harmonious; allowed, authorized, kosher, permitted

Near Antonyms: intolerable, unacceptable, unsatisfactory; casual, grungy, informal; seedy, shabby, tacky; banned, barred, disallowed; forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed; awkward, gauche, ungraceful

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with NICE

dice, gneiss, ice, lyse, pice, price, rice, slice, spice, splice, syce, thrice, trice, twice, vice, vise