nice

UK: naɪs | US: naɪs

Definition

  1. adj. pleasant, agreeable, or attractive

  2. adj. kind or polite

  3. adj. (archaic) subtle or precise

Structure
nic <foolish>nic <foolish>
Etymology

nice = nic<foolish> + e (no suffix)

  • nic<foolish>: From Old French nice ("silly, simple"), derived from Latin nescius ("ignorant"), from ne- (not) + scire (to know). Originally meant "foolish" or "ignorant" in Middle English.
  • e: No suffix; the modern spelling retains the final e from Old French.

Etymology Origin:
The word nice underwent a remarkable semantic shift. It entered English from Old French with negative connotations ("foolish" or "ignorant"). By the 14th century, it evolved to mean "timid" or "delicate," then further refined to "precise" or "subtle" (e.g., "a nice distinction"). By the 18th century, it acquired its modern positive senses ("pleasant" or "kind"), reflecting societal values that prized refinement and agreeableness.

Examples

  1. She gave him a nice smile.

  2. The weather is nice today.

  3. He was very nice to his guests.

  4. That’s a nice shade of blue.

  5. (Archaic) The lawyer made a nice argument about the clause.