Nice: meaning, definitions and examples

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nice

 

[ naɪs ]

Adjective
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

compliment

Pleasant; agreeable; satisfactory.

Synonyms

agreeable, pleasant, satisfactory.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
nice

Generally used to describe something or someone that is good, kind, or enjoyable. Informal and versatile, fitting for various situations such as describing people, experiences, or objects.

  • She is a very nice person.
  • We had a nice time at the beach.
  • That's a nice dress you have on.
pleasant

Employed to talk about something that gives a sense of happy satisfaction or enjoyment. Suitable for describing experiences, environments, or personalities.

  • We had a pleasant evening.
  • Her smile is so pleasant.
  • It was a pleasant surprise.
agreeable

Used to describe someone or something that is pleasing, willing to agree, or easy to get along with. Often applied in more formal conversations.

  • He is an agreeable colleague.
  • The weather was agreeable for a picnic.
  • They reached an agreeable solution.
satisfactory

Used when something meets the requirements or expectations, but it might not be exceptional. Common in more formal or evaluative settings, such as work or academics.

  • The performance was satisfactory.
  • The results are satisfactory but could be improved.
  • His work has been satisfactory this quarter.

Examples of usage

  • It was such a nice day for a picnic.
  • She has a really nice smile.
  • Thank you for the nice compliment.
  • I had a nice time at the party.
  • The hotel staff were very nice to us.

Translations

Translations of the word "nice" in other languages:

🇵🇹 agradável

🇮🇳 अच्छा

🇩🇪 nett

🇮🇩 bagus

🇺🇦 приємний

🇵🇱 miły

🇯🇵 いい (ii)

🇫🇷 agréable

🇪🇸 agradable

🇹🇷 güzel

🇰🇷 좋은 (joheun)

🇸🇦 لطيف

🇨🇿 příjemný

🇸🇰 príjemný

🇨🇳 好 (hǎo)

🇸🇮 prijeten

🇮🇸 góður

🇰🇿 жақсы

🇬🇪 სასიამოვნო

🇦🇿 xoş

🇲🇽 agradable

Etymology

The word 'nice' originated from the Latin word 'nescius', meaning 'ignorant' or 'unknowing'. Over time, its meaning evolved to represent something pleasant or agreeable. In Middle English, 'nice' was used to describe something foolish or simple, but it gradually shifted to its modern meaning of being enjoyable or satisfactory. Today, 'nice' is commonly used as a compliment to describe something pleasant or likable.

See also: nicely.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,928, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.