Nice nellies — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈnīs-ˈne-lē/ nice-nel·ly

Meaning & Definition of Nice nellies

Nice nellies (adjective)

  1. marked by euphemism
  2. prudish

Nice nellies (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who is greatly concerned with seemly behavior and morality especially regarding sexual matters

    "some nice nelly bowdlerized this collection of wartime ditties that were lustily sung by the men around the campfire"

    similar: bluenoses, moralists, Mrs. Grundys, prudes, puritans, wowsers (chiefly Australian)
    related: moralizers, goody-goodies, fuddy-duddies, old maids, prigs, spoilsports, stuffed shirts
    opposite: immoralists
    near: libertarians, libertines, misbehavers

Related Entry: Nice-nelly (adjective)

Nice-nelly is a different word from Nice nellies. The synonyms below are for nice-nelly, not for nice nellies.

  1. given to or marked by very conservative standards regarding personal behavior or morals

    "the novel's wildly off base portrayal of 18th-century aristocrats as nice-nelly exemplars of decorum"

    similar: bluenosed, prim, prudish, puritanical, straitlaced, Victorian
    related: priggish, staid, stuffy, genteel, proper, refined, decent, honest, moral, right, righteous, upright, virtuous
    near: liberated, permissive, bad, immoral, improper, indecent, lax, lecherous, lickerish, loose, prurient, wicked, skanky (slang), slatternly, sleazy, sluttish, slutty, trampy, debauched, degenerate, degraded, depraved, perverted

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Nice nellies

The most common words with a similar meaning to Nice nellies:

Chiefly Australian: wowsers
bluenoses, moralists, Mrs. Grundys, prudes, puritans

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Nice nellies

Words with the opposite meaning of Nice nellies:

immoralists

Related Words for Nice nellies

moralizers, goody-goodies, fuddy-duddies, old maids, prigs, spoilsports, stuffed shirts

Near Antonyms of Nice nellies

libertarians, libertines, misbehavers

Word Forms of Nice nellies

Derived words: nice nelly (noun), nice-nellyism (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Nice nellies

from the name Nelly

First known use: 1922

Frequently Asked Questions about Nice nellies

What does "Nice nellies" mean?

"Nice nellies" means marked by euphemism. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: marked by euphemism.

What is another word for "Nice nellies"?

Other words for "Nice nellies" include bluenoses, moralists, Mrs. Grundys, prudes, puritans and wowsers. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Nice nellies" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Nice nellies"?

There are 13 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Nice nellies". Common alternatives include bluenoses, moralists, Mrs. Grundys, prudes, puritans and wowsers.

What is the opposite of "Nice nellies"?

Antonyms of "Nice nellies" include immoralists. Near antonyms include libertarians, libertines and misbehavers.

How do you use "Nice nellies" in a sentence?

Examples of "Nice nellies" in a sentence: "some nice nelly bowdlerized this collection of wartime ditties that were lustily sung by the men around the campfire".

Is "Nice nellies" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Nice nellies" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Nice nellies"?

"Nice nellies" is pronounced /ˈnīs-ˈne-lē/ and divided into syllables as nice-nel·ly.

What is the origin of the word "Nice nellies"?

"Nice nellies" comes from from the name Nelly. First known use: 1922.