nice

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adjective \ˈnīs\

Definition of nice

nicer

;

nicest

1 obsolete a : wanton, dissoluteb : coy, reticent
2a : showing fastidious or finicky tastes : particular too nice a palate to enjoy junk foodb : exacting in requirements or standards : punctilious a nice code of honor
3 : possessing, marked by, or demanding great or excessive precision (see ¹precision 2a) and delicacy nice measurements a nice distinction between these two words
4 obsolete : trivial
5a : pleasing, agreeable a nice time a nice personb : well-executed nice shotc : appropriate, fitting not a nice word for a formal occasion She always wears nice clothes.
6a : socially acceptable : well-bred from a nice familyb : virtuous, respectable was taught that nice girls don't do that
7 : polite, kind that's nice of you to say

nice

adverb

nicely

adverb

niceness

noun

See nice defined for English-language learners

See nice defined for kids

Examples of nice in a Sentence

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

Origin and Etymology of nice

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of nice

correct, accurate, exact, precise, nice, right mean conforming to fact, standard, or truth. correct usually implies freedom from fault or error. correct answers socially correct dress accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care. an accurate description exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth. exact measurements precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation. precise calibration nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination. makes nice distinctions right is close to correct but has a stronger positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault. the right thing to do

Nice

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geographical name \ˈnēs\

variants: or ancient

Nicaea

play \nī-ˈsē-ə\

Definition of Nice

city and port on the Mediterranean Sea in southeastern France population 343,304

NICE Defined for English Language Learners

nice

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adjective

Definition of nice for English Language Learners

: giving pleasure or joy : good and enjoyable
: attractive or of good quality
: kind, polite, and friendly

NICE Defined for Kids

nice

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adjective \ˈnīs\

Definition of nice for Students

nicer

;

nicest

1 : pleasing, pleasant nice weather I had a nice time.
2 : kind, polite, and friendly a nice person
3 : of good quality It's a nice place to live.
4 : done very well Nice work!
5 : well behaved nice children

nicely

adverb

niceness

noun

History for nice

The English word nice came from an Old French word with the same spelling that meant “foolish.” This Old French word came in turn from a Latin word nescius that meant “ignorant.” At first, English nice meant “foolish” or “frivolous.” Later it came to mean “finicky” or “fussy.” Not until the 1700s did nice come to mean “pleasing” or “pleasant.”