nice
♦♦ nice /n'aɪs/ (nicer nicest)
1 [ADJ] 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.
● nicely [ADV] ADV after v, ADV -ed/adj
He's just written a book, nicely illustrated and not too technical...
2 [ADJ] 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.'...
= kind
3 [ADJ]
If you say that someone is nice, you mean that you like them because they are friendly and pleasant.
He was a nice fellow, very quiet and courteous.
≠ unpleasant
● niceness [N-UNCOUNT]
Mr Pearce was rather bowled over by his niceness, his concern and his ordinariness.
4 [ADJ] 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.
● nicely [ADV] ADV after v
He treated you very nicely and acted like a decent guy.
5 [ADJ]
When the weather is nice, it is warm and pleasant.
He nodded to us and said, `Nice weather we're having.'
6 [ADJ] ADJ adj n, v-link ADJ and adj, ADJ and adv after v
You can use nice to emphasize a particular quality that you like.
With a nice dark colour, the wine is medium to full bodied...
Add the oats to thicken the mixture and stir until it is nice and creamy...
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?
● nicely [ADV] ADV after v
I think this puts the problem very nicely.
8 [ADJ] it v-link ADJ to-inf
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
see also nicely
1 [ADJ] 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.
● nicely [ADV] ADV after v, ADV -ed/adj
He's just written a book, nicely illustrated and not too technical...
2 [ADJ] 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.'...
= kind
3 [ADJ]
If you say that someone is nice, you mean that you like them because they are friendly and pleasant.
He was a nice fellow, very quiet and courteous.
≠ unpleasant
● niceness [N-UNCOUNT]
Mr Pearce was rather bowled over by his niceness, his concern and his ordinariness.
4 [ADJ] 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.
● nicely [ADV] ADV after v
He treated you very nicely and acted like a decent guy.
5 [ADJ]
When the weather is nice, it is warm and pleasant.
He nodded to us and said, `Nice weather we're having.'
6 [ADJ] ADJ adj n, v-link ADJ and adj, ADJ and adv after v
You can use nice to emphasize a particular quality that you like.
With a nice dark colour, the wine is medium to full bodied...
Add the oats to thicken the mixture and stir until it is nice and creamy...
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?
● nicely [ADV] ADV after v
I think this puts the problem very nicely.
8 [ADJ] it v-link ADJ to-inf
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
see also nicely