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

In the early days of the full-scale invasion, in calls to other leaders, Zelensky would skip the customary niceties and go straight to a request for more weapons. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026

After that discovery, Boarman dropped all niceties in her communications with agency officials. —Nick Bowlin, The Frontier, 16 Feb. 2026

There’s simply no time for niceties that aren’t carrying their weight. —Angela Haupt, Time, 28 Jan. 2026

With all of those niceties out of the way, on the most pivotal play of the game, the pair still had issues. —Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 26 Jan. 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

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