nice
nice
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for the word "nice" is /naɪs/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
naɪs: This is a single-syllable word.
/n/ as in "n"ever
/aɪ/ as in "eye"
/s/ as in "s"it
Word Form Variations
The word "nice" itself doesn't have traditional plural forms like many nouns do. It's primarily an adjective. However, we can look at related forms and variations:
nice (adjective): This is the base form, used to describe something pleasant or agreeable. Example: "That's a nice car."
nicer (comparative adjective): Used to compare two things, indicating one is more pleasant than the other. Example: "This cake is nicer than the one I made last week."
nicest (superlative adjective): Used to compare three or more things, indicating one is the most pleasant. Example: "This is the nicest hotel I've ever stayed in."
nicely (adverb): Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, describing how something is done. Example: "She sang nicely."
niceness (noun): Refers to the quality of being nice. Example: "His niceness was appreciated by everyone."
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective (nice):
Definition 1: Pleasing or agreeable in appearance, manner, or quality. Describes something that evokes positive feelings.
Synonyms: pleasant, agreeable, enjoyable, attractive, kind, friendly, courteous, polite, good, fine, wonderful, lovely.
Antonyms: unpleasant, disagreeable, awful, terrible, mean, unkind, rude, impolite, bad, poor, dreadful, horrible.
Definition 2 (informal): Satisfactory or acceptable. A less enthusiastic but still positive assessment.
Synonyms: okay, alright, decent, adequate, acceptable, fine.
Antonyms: bad, unacceptable, inadequate, poor.
Adverb (nicely):
Definition: In a pleasing or agreeable manner. Describes how something is done.
Synonyms: pleasantly, agreeably, enjoyably, attractively, kindly, friendly, courteously, politely, well, finely, wonderfully.
Antonyms: unpleasantly, disagreeably, awfully, terribly, meanly, unkindly, rudely, impolitely, badly, poorly, dreadfully, horribly.
Noun (niceness):
Definition: The quality of being pleasing or agreeable. The state of being nice.
Synonyms: pleasantness, agreeableness, kindness, friendliness, courtesy, politeness, goodness, amiability, charm.
Antonyms: unpleasantness, disagreeableness, meanness, unkindness, rudeness, impoliteness, badness, hostility.
Examples of Use
Literature/Books:
"It was a nice day for a walk." (This is a very common, generic example of how "nice" is used in everyday descriptions, and appears in countless books.)
"He was a nice man, always willing to help." (Similar to the above, this illustrates the use of "nice" to describe a person's character, and is a frequent occurrence in literature.)
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"The restaurant offers a nice selection of wines." (This type of usage is common in reviews and articles about food and dining.)
"The company announced a nice increase in profits." (In business news, "nice" can describe positive financial results.)
"It was nice to see so many people come out to support the cause." (This example from a news report or blog post shows "nice" used to describe a positive event or turnout.)
Entertainment Mediums/Platforms:
"That was a really nice song." (Common usage in music reviews, discussions, and social media posts.)
"He's a nice guy, I really enjoyed working with him." (This type of comment is typical in interviews with actors or other people in the entertainment industry.)
"The movie had some nice visuals." (Used in film reviews and discussions.)
General Public Discourse/Social Media:
"Have a nice day!" (A very common parting phrase.)
"It was nice meeting you." (A polite expression used when meeting someone new.)
"That's a nice dress!" (A compliment on someone's attire.)
"My neighbor is such a nice person." (Used in everyday conversations to describe someone's character.)
Examples of more nuanced or evolving use:
"Nice!" (Often used as a standalone exclamation of approval or excitement, particularly in online communication and younger demographics. This usage is more informal and has evolved over time.)
"Nice try." (Can be used sarcastically or genuinely to acknowledge an effort, even if unsuccessful.)
10 Famous Quotes Using Nice
"No nice men are good at getting taxis." — Katherine Whitehorn (A witty remark on assertiveness in urban life.)
"Nice guys finish last." — Leo Durocher (often misquoted) (This phrase has become a staple in discussions on competitiveness and kindness, though originally meant differently.)
"Being nice is not the same as being good." — Author Unknown (used often in moral and psychological discussions) (A powerful distinction between politeness and integrity.)
"I’m not nice. I’m just a soft-spoken person." — Toni Morrison (A reminder not to confuse demeanor with intention.)
"You can be a nice person and still say no." — Unknown (Frequently cited in boundaries and self-help conversations.)
"She’s a nice girl, but her bad taste is ruining my dinner party." — Truman Capote (Reflecting his sharp tongue and high-society critiques.)
"It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice." — John Templeton (attributed to many) (A popular motivational quote about humility and kindness.)
"A nice blend of prediction and surprise seem to be at the heart of the best art." — Wendy Carlos (On what makes creativity and artistic expression resonate.)
"I'm not a nice person. I'm a good person who doesn't always do nice things." — Glennon Doyle (From Untamed — a bestselling modern memoir about truth and rebellion.)
"Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one." — Bill Gates (attributed) (Often used in motivational speeches about respecting the underestimated.)
Etymology
The word "nice" has a pretty interesting and somewhat surprising history. It didn't start out meaning what it means today.
It comes from the Latin word "nescius," which meant "ignorant" or "unaware." Think of it like "not knowing." This Latin word evolved into the Old French word "nice," which also initially meant "foolish," "simple," or "silly." So, the very first uses of the word "nice" were actually negative!
Over time, the meaning of "nice" gradually shifted. It started to move away from "foolish" and more toward "coy" or "modest" (especially when used to describe women). Then, it began to take on a more positive connotation, meaning "dainty," "delicate," or "refined." Eventually, it arrived at its modern meaning of "pleasant," "agreeable," or "kind."
The first recorded use of "nice" in English (around the 13th century) was closer to its original meaning of "foolish" or "simple." It took several centuries for the word to acquire its current, positive meaning.
So, it's kind of ironic that a word that now generally means something positive originally meant the opposite! Language is constantly evolving, and the story of "nice" is a perfect example of how word meanings can change dramatically over time.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Nice
Phrases (more common usage):
Have a nice day: This is a ubiquitous closing phrase, expressing a polite wish for a pleasant day.
It was nice meeting you: A polite expression used when taking leave of someone you've just met.
That's nice: A simple expression of approval or agreement.
Play nice: This phrase, often directed at children, means to behave politely and cooperatively.
Nice and easy: Meaning gentle and relaxed, without force or strain.
Why "nice" is less common in idioms:
Idioms often rely on figurative language, metaphors, or similes to create a vivid image or convey a meaning beyond the literal words. "Nice" is a fairly literal and general adjective, making it less adaptable to this kind of figurative use. It describes a quality rather than an action or a specific situation, which are more common ingredients in idioms.
Workarounds and related expressions:
Since "nice" itself doesn't lend itself to many idioms, we can look at idioms that express similar sentiments or relate to the qualities associated with being "nice":
A good egg: (Idiom for a kind and reliable person)
A heart of gold: (Idiom for someone who is very kind and generous)
To go the extra mile: (Idiom for doing more than is expected, showing kindness and helpfulness)
To kill with kindness: (Idiom, sometimes used ironically, for being overly kind or generous, sometimes to manipulate)
To be a peach: (Idiom for a pleasant and agreeable person)
To be a gem: (Idiom for a very kind and valuable person)
To make someone's day: (Phrase expressing the act of doing something kind for someone, making their day nicer)
Original phrases (less common):
"A nice touch": A small but thoughtful detail that adds to something.
"Nice going!": An exclamation of mild approval or encouragement.
"That's a nice thought": Acknowledging a kind or considerate idea.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of nice from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
