What does nice mean?
Nice is a flexible English adjective whose basic meaning is that something is pleasing, enjoyable, or attractive. It can also describe a person as kind, friendly, or considerate, and in broad approving usage it may mean simply good. The word often functions as warm, everyday praise: “It was nice of you to help,” or “Have a nice day.” Because its meaning is deliberately broad, nice can sound bland or overly general, and speakers may also use it ironically. The adjective is productive: nicely and niceness are standard derivatives, while the comparative forms nicer and nicest are widely used. Historically, nice once meant ignorant or foolish, so its present affectionate meaning represents a striking reversal of its original sense. Its usefulness lies in this flexibility, allowing it to express approval without the formality of more specific praise, although precise alternatives are often better in formal contexts.
adjectivePleasing or enjoyable; attractive, kind, or friendly. It can also mean good or successful in a broad, approving sense.
- Pleasing, enjoyable, or attractive.
- Kind, friendly, or considerate.
- Good, successful, or otherwise regarded favorably in a broad sense.
- Used in conventional expressions of approval or courtesy.
- Archaic: ignorant or foolish.
"She was very nice to me when I needed some help."
"That was a nice meal and a genuinely pleasant evening."
"It was nice of you to wait for me."
Nice began as an insult meaning ignorant or foolish, but its modern sense is the opposite: warm, pleasing approval.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nice come from?
The word entered Middle English from Old French nis, meaning “ignorant” or “foolish,” from Latin nescius, “ignorant” or “not knowing.” Latin nescius was formed from nescire, “not to know,” a negation of scire, “to know.” Its favorable senses developed later, and related English words such as nescient and nescience preserve the older root meaning of lack of knowledge.
Related word forms
How nice is actually used
Nice is informal and broadly approving, so its vagueness can make it seem bland, generic, or ironic in some contexts. In formal writing, a more precise adjective is often preferable.
Easily confused with nice
A niece is a female child of one's sibling, whereas nice is an adjective meaning pleasing, enjoyable, kind, or attractive.
Nice means pleasing or enjoyable, while wise means having sound judgment and good judgment.