nicety

noun

nice·​ty ˈnī-sə-tē 

-stē

plural niceties

1

: the quality or state of being nice

2

: an elegant, delicate, or civilized feature

enjoy the niceties of life

3

: a fine point or distinction : subtlety

the niceties of table manners

4

: careful attention to details : delicate exactness : precision

5

: delicacy of taste or feeling : fastidiousness

see also:

to a nicety

Synonyms of nicety

• fact
• detail

Examples of nicety in a Sentence

knows all the niceties of diplomatic protocol

a woman too fond of the niceties of urban living to even consider becoming a farmer's wife

Recent Examples on the Web

John Feerick, the eighty-nine-year-old law professor who, in 1964, wrote the bulk of the Twenty-fifth Amendment, is used to people asking him questions about the niceties of replacing a sitting President. —Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

The two women appeared to end their conversation on a positive note and continued to exchange niceties in their DMs. —Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026

Stop their vote now, sort out the legal niceties later. —Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026

The welcome is constant, an unceasing parade of treats and niceties that conspire to make a person feel not just greeted, but embraced. —Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nicete, from Anglo-French niceté foolishness, from nice, adjective

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing nicety

• to a nicety

Kids Definition

nicety

noun

nice·​ty ˈnī-sət-ē 

-stē

plural niceties

1

: a dainty, delicate, or elegant thing

enjoy the niceties of life

2

: a small point or detail

niceties of table manners

3

: careful attention to details

nicety is needed in making watches

4

: the point at which a thing is at its best

roasted to a nicety