nice

nice · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Pleasant; agreeable; satisfactory.

  2. 2.

    Kind, friendly, or polite.

  3. 3.

    Fine or subtle in nature.

  4. 4.

    (ironic) Used to express disapproval.

  5. 5.

    Fastidious or particular about something.

Related words

Antonyms: mean, nasty, unpleasant
See also: good, kind, pleasant
Synonyms: agreeable, kind, pleasant

Etymology

From Old French "nice" meaning "foolish, simple, silly," from Latin "nescius" meaning "ignorant," from "ne-" (not) + "scire" (to know). The word underwent a remarkable semantic shift from negative meanings (ignorant, foolish) through neutral (precise, fine) to positive (pleasant, agreeable) over several centuries.