nicest

Variant of nice

nice definition

nice (nīs)

adjective nicer nic′er, nicest nic′·est

  1. difficult to please; fastidious; refined
  2. delicate; precise; discriminative; subtle a nice distinction
  3. calling for great care, accuracy, tact, etc., as in handling or discrimination a nice problem
    1. able to make fine or delicate distinctions; delicately skillful; finely discriminating
    2. minutely accurate, as an instrument
  5. having high standards of conduct; scrupulous
    1. agreeable; pleasant; delightful
    2. attractive; pretty
    3. courteous and considerate
    4. conforming to approved social standards; respectable
    5. in good taste
    6. good; excellent
  7. Obsolete
    1. ignorant; foolish
    2. wanton
    3. coy; shy

Etymology: ME, strange, lazy, foolish < OFr nice, nisce, stupid, foolish < L nescius, ignorant, not knowing < nescire, to be ignorant < ne-, not (see no) + scire, to know: see science

adverb nicer nic′er, nicest nic′·est

well, pleasingly, attractively, etc.: variously regarded as substandard, dialectal, or informal

Related Forms:

nice Idioms

make nice

Informal to try to be friendly or cooperative: often with with

nice and

Informal altogether, in a pleasing way likes his tea nice and hot

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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