Nice nelly — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

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

Meaning & Definition of Nice nelly

Nice nelly (adjective)

  1. marked by euphemism
  2. prudish

Nice nelly (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: bluenose, moralist, Mrs. Grundy, prude, puritan, wowser (chiefly Australian)
    related: moralizer, goody-goody, Goody Two-shoes, fuddy-duddy, old maid, prig, spoilsport, stuffed shirt
    opposite: immoralist
    near: libertarian, libertine, misbehaver

Related Entry: Nice-nelly (adjective)

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

  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 nelly

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

Chiefly Australian: wowser
bluenose, moralist, Mrs. Grundy, prude, puritan

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Nice nelly

Words with the opposite meaning of Nice nelly:

immoralist

Related Words for Nice nelly

moralizer, goody-goody, Goody Two-shoes, fuddy-duddy, old maid, prig, spoilsport, stuffed shirt

Near Antonyms of Nice nelly

libertarian, libertine, misbehaver

Word Forms of Nice nelly

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

Origin & Etymology of Nice nelly

from the name Nelly

First known use: 1922

Frequently Asked Questions about Nice nelly

What does "Nice nelly" mean?

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

What is another word for "Nice nelly"?

Other words for "Nice nelly" include bluenose, moralist, Mrs. Grundy, prude, puritan and wowser. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Nice nelly" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Nice nelly"?

There are 14 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Nice nelly". Common alternatives include bluenose, moralist, Mrs. Grundy, prude, puritan and wowser.

What is the opposite of "Nice nelly"?

Antonyms of "Nice nelly" include immoralist. Near antonyms include libertarian, libertine and misbehaver.

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

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

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

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

How do you pronounce "Nice nelly"?

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

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

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