adj.
Pronunciation: ' n ī s
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: 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
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>
synonyms see CORRECT
– nice adverb
– nice · ly adverb
– nice · ness noun