nice

[[t]na͟ɪs[/t]]

♦♦

nicer, nicest

1) ADJ-GRADED: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf If you say that something is nice, you mean that you find it attractive, pleasant, or enjoyable.

I think silk ties can be quite nice...

It's nice to be here together again...

We had a nice meal with a bottle of champagne.

Derived words:

nicely ADV-GRADED ADV after v, ADV -ed/adj

He's just written a book, nicely illustrated and not too technical...

The horse jumps nicely.

2) ADJ-GRADED: it v-link ADJ of n to-inf, v-link ADJ of n If you say that it is nice of someone to say or do something, you are saying that they are being kind and thoughtful. This is often used as a way of thanking someone.

It's awfully nice of you to come all this way to see me...

`How are your boys?' - `How nice of you to ask.'...

This has been so nice, so terribly kind of you.

Syn:

kind

3) ADJ-GRADED If you say that someone is nice, you mean that you like them because they are friendly and pleasant.

I've met your father and he's rather nice...

He was a nice fellow, very quiet and courteous.

Ant:

unpleasant

Derived words:

niceness N-UNCOUNT

Mr Pearce was rather bowled over by his niceness, his concern and his ordinariness.

4) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ to n If you are nice to people, you are friendly, pleasant, or polite towards them.

She met Mr and Mrs Ricciardi, who were very nice to her.

Derived words:

nicely ADV-GRADED ADV after v

He treated you very nicely and acted like a decent guy.

5) ADJ-GRADED When the weather is nice, it is warm and pleasant.

He nodded to us and said, `Nice weather we're having.'

Syn:

fine

6) ADJ: ADJ adj n, v-link ADJ and adj, ADJ and adv after v (emphasis) You can use nice to emphasize a particular quality that you like.

With a nice dark colour, the wine is medium to full bodied...

People have got used to nice glossy magazines...

Add the oats to thicken the mixture and stir until it is nice and creamy...

I'll explain it nice and simply so you can understand.

7) ADJ A nice point or distinction is very clear, precise, and based on good reasoning. [FORMAL]

Those are nice academic arguments, but what about the immediate future?

Derived words:

nicely ADV-GRADED ADV after v

I think this puts the problem very nicely.

8) ADJ: it v-link ADJ to-inf (formulae) You can use nice when you are greeting people. For example, you can say `Nice to meet you', `Nice to have met you', or `Nice to see you'.

Good morning. Nice to meet you and thanks for being with us this weekend...

`It's so nice to see you,' said Charles.

9) CONVENTION (feelings) If someone says nice one, they are showing their approval of something clever or funny that they have just seen or heard. [INFORMAL]

Knowles became Torquay's manager. Nice one.

10) → See also nicely