Nicely — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective phrase adverb /ˈnīs/

Meaning & Definition of Nicely

Nicely (adjective)

  1. polite, kind
  2. pleasing, agreeable
  3. appropriate, fitting

Nicely (phrase)

  1. to be suitable for a purpose
  2. to earn a lot of money

Nicely (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. in a pleasing way

    "he's a nicely helpful child"

    similar: agreeably, charmingly, delectably, deliciously, delightfully, dreamily, enchantingly, enjoyably, favorably, felicitously, fetchingly, gloriously, gratifyingly, great, palatably, pleasantly, pleasingly, pleasurably, prettily, satisfyingly, splendidly, sweetly, swimmingly, welcomely, well, winningly
    related: finely, grandly, magnificently, advantageously, helpfully, blessedly, fortunately, happily, luckily, excellently, superbly, marvelously, sensationally, wonderfully, attractively, beautifully, handsomely, appealingly, appetizingly, enticingly, invitingly, temptingly
    opposite: badly, disagreeably, ill, unpleasantly
    near: abominably, appallingly, awfully, dreadfully, horrendously, horribly, horridly, shockingly, sickeningly, terribly, vilely, annoyingly, disgustingly, distressingly, irritatingly, vexingly

  2. in a satisfactory way

    "I'm doing nicely, and thanks for asking"

    similar: acceptably, adequately, all right, alright, creditably, decently, fine, good, middlingly, OK, passably, respectably, satisfactorily, serviceably, so-so, sufficiently, tolerably, well
    related: appropriately, aptly, congruously, correctly, decorously, felicitously, fittingly, happily, meetly, rightly, seemly, suitably, gratifyingly, satisfyingly, effectively, effectually, efficiently, neatly, tidily
    opposite: bad, badly, deficiently, ill, inadequately, insufficiently, intolerably, poorly, unacceptably, unsatisfactorily
    near: unbearably, inappropriately, incorrectly, indecently, unsuitably, awfully, deplorably, disastrously, dreadfully, horrendously, horribly, horridly, miserably, terribly

  3. with good reason or courtesy

    "excuse yourself nicely and you should be fine"

    similar: considerately, courteously, graciously, kindly, reasonably, thoughtfully, well
    related: pleasantly, excusably, fairly, justifiably, validly, discreetly, judiciously, prudently, sensibly, wisely, chivalrously, decorously, deferentially, gallantly, politely, respectfully, solicitously, compassionately, humanely, kindheartedly, sweetly, sympathetically
    opposite: discourteously, inconsiderately, thoughtlessly
    near: contemptuously, disdainfully, disrespectfully, impolitely, rudely, scornfully, snootily, cruelly, heartlessly, nastily, viciously, shabbily, unfairly

Related Entry: Nice (adjective)

Nice is a different word from Nicely. The synonyms below are for nice, not for nicely.

  1. giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses

    "a cool glass of lemonade sure would be nice"

    similar: agreeable, blessed, congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, good, grateful, gratifying, heavenly, jolly, luscious, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, pretty, satisfying, savory, sweet, tasty, welcome
    related: alluring, attractive, desirable, enviable, inviting, relishable, tempting, charming, enchanting, fascinating, calming, comforting, soothing, amusing, diverting, entertaining, recreative, affable, amiable, cheerful, cheery, comfortable, gemütlich, genial, goodly, good-natured, gracious, hospitable, kindly, personable, blissful, felicific, glad, happy, joyous, elating, exhilarating, intoxicating, ecstatic, euphoric, nirvanic, rapturous
    opposite: disagreeable, pleasureless, unpalatable, unpleasant, unwelcome
    near: abominable, ghastly, god-awful, hellish, horrid, miserable, wretched, bilious, disgusting, distasteful, obnoxious, offensive, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revulsive, unsavory, vile, yucky, abhorrent, detestable, hateful, odious, boring, commonplace, dull, flat, insipid, irksome, stale, tedious, displeasing, dissatisfying, depressing, disheartening, dismal, dreary, gloomy, heartbreaking, heartrending, joyless, lachrymose, sad, unhappy, deplorable, doleful, dolorous, lamentable, lugubrious, mournful, regrettable, sorrowful, tragic, aggravating, annoying, exasperating, irritating, peeving, perturbing, vexing, forbidding, hostile, intimidating, angering, enraging, incensing, inflaming, infuriating, maddening, outraging, rankling, riling, distressing, disturbing, upsetting

  2. following the established traditions of refined society and good taste

    "had nice manners"

    similar: befitting, correct, de rigueur, decent, decorous, genteel, polite, proper, respectable, seemly
    related: acceptable, adequate, satisfactory, tolerable, dress, dressy, formal, dignified, elegant, gracious, priggish, prim, stiff, stuffy, apt, material, relevant, compatible, congenial, harmonious, allowed, authorized, kosher, permitted
    opposite: improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, indelicate, unbecoming, ungenteel, unseemly
    near: intolerable, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, casual, grungy, informal, seedy, shabby, tacky, banned, barred, disallowed, forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, awkward, gauche, ungraceful

  3. hard to please

    "she's far too nice about her clothes for me to even consider giving her clothing for her birthday"

    similar: choosy, dainty, delicate, demanding, exacting, fastidious, finical, finicking, finicky, fussbudgety, fussy, old-maidish, particular, pernickety (chiefly British), persnickety, picky
    related: hyperfastidious, overdemanding, ultrafastidious, discerning, discriminating, selective, insightful, knowledgeable, captious, carping, caviling, critical, faultfinding, hypercritical, overcritical, careful, meticulous, painstaking, punctilious, scrupulous, queasy, squeamish, peevish, petulant, prickly, touchy, niminy-piminy, prim, prissy
    opposite: undemanding, unfastidious, unfussy
    near: affable, breezy, carefree, devil-may-care, happy-go-lucky, lackadaisical, laid-back, low-pressure, relaxed, flexible, lax, loose, lenient, permissive, uncritical, indiscriminating, undiscriminating

  4. having an easygoing and pleasing manner especially in social situations

    "such a nice person to have as a party guest"

    similar: affable, agreeable, amiable, genial, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, mellow, pleasant, sweet, well-disposed
    related: amicable, clever (dialect), cordial, friendly, neighborly, benign, gentle, kind, cheerful, cheery, glad (archaic), sunny, companionable, conversable, sociable, civil, considerate, courteous, polite, thoughtful, accommodating, amenable, obliging, attractive, delightful, enjoyable, likable
    opposite: disagreeable, ill-natured, ill-tempered, unamiable, ungenial, ungracious, unpleasant
    near: boorish, discourteous, ill-mannered, impolite, inconsiderate, rude, surly, uncivil, unkind, unmannerly, unsociable, bearish, bilious, cantankerous, choleric, churlish, crabby, cranky, dyspeptic, fussy, grouchy, grumpy, ill-humored, irascible, irritable, peevish, petulant, quick-tempered, snappish, testy, touchy, argumentative, contentious, contrary, ornery, querulous, unappealing, unattractive, sour, vinegary

  5. made or done with extreme care and accuracy

    "the noticeably nice folding of the dinner napkins told us that we were in the home of a domestic diva"

    similar: delicate, exact, fine, finespun, hairline, hairsplitting, minute, nuanced, refined, subtle
    related: nitpicking, quibbling, frivolous, inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, negligible, petty, piddling, trifling, trivial, demanding, exacting, fastidious, finical, finicking, finicky, fussy, meticulous, particular, picky
    opposite: coarse, inexact, rough
    near: apparent, clear, clear-cut, evident, manifest, obvious, open-and-shut, palpable, patent, perspicuous, plain, transparent, unambiguous, unequivocal, unmistakable, broad, indefinite, careless, heedless, incautious, slapdash, slipshod, sloppy

  6. conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue

    "in those days nice people would not have been caught dead in a gambling casino"

    similar: all right, decent, ethical, good, honest, honorable, just, moral, right, right-minded, righteous, straight, true, upright, virtuous
    related: correct, decorous, proper, seemly, high-minded, noble, principled, commendable, creditable, exemplary, legitimate, esteemed, law-abiding, menschy, reputable, respected, upstanding, worthy, blameless, clean, guiltless, immaculate, incorrupt, incorruptible, innocent, inoffensive, irreproachable, unobjectionable, angelic, lily-white, pure, scrupulous, spotless, uncorrupted, unerring, goody-goody, moralistic, pharisaical, rectitudinous, sanctimonious, self-righteous
    opposite: bad, dishonest, dishonorable, evil, evil-minded, immoral, indecent, sinful, unethical, unrighteous, wicked, wrong
    near: improper, incorrect, indecorous, naughty, unbecoming, unseemly, corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, libertine, perverted, reprobate, unprincipled, unscrupulous, atrocious, infamous, villainous, base, low, mean, vicious, vile, blameworthy, objectionable, offensive, iniquitous, nefarious, errant, erring, fallen

  7. marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details

    "a gentleman's club with a nice code of honor that no one can breach and still remain a member"

    similar: ceremonious, correct, decorous, formal, proper, punctilious, starchy, stiff, stiff-necked, stilted
    related: sober, solemn, stately, chivalrous, courtly, gallant, genteel, polished, refined, civil, courteous, polite, red-carpet
    opposite: casual, easygoing, informal, laid-back, unceremonious
    near: improper, indecorous, unmannerly, discourteous, impolite, rude

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Nicely

The most common words with a similar meaning to Nicely:

agreeably, charmingly, delectably, deliciously, delightfully, dreamily, enchantingly, enjoyably, favorably, felicitously, fetchingly, gloriously, gratifyingly, great, palatably, pleasantly, pleasingly, pleasurably, prettily, satisfyingly, splendidly, sweetly, swimmingly, welcomely, well, winningly, acceptably, adequately, all right, alright, creditably, decently, fine, good, middlingly, OK, passably, respectably, satisfactorily, serviceably

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Nicely

Words with the opposite meaning of Nicely:

badly, disagreeably, ill, unpleasantly, bad, deficiently, inadequately, insufficiently, intolerably, poorly, unacceptably, unsatisfactorily, discourteously, inconsiderately, thoughtlessly

Related Words for Nicely

finely, grandly, magnificently, advantageously, helpfully, blessedly, fortunately, happily, luckily, excellently, superbly, marvelously, sensationally, wonderfully, attractively, beautifully, handsomely, appealingly, appetizingly, enticingly, invitingly, temptingly, appropriately, aptly, congruously, correctly, decorously, fittingly, meetly, rightly

Near Antonyms of Nicely

abominably, appallingly, awfully, dreadfully, horrendously, horribly, horridly, shockingly, sickeningly, terribly, vilely, annoyingly, disgustingly, distressingly, irritatingly, vexingly, unbearably, inappropriately, incorrectly, indecently, unsuitably, deplorably, disastrously, miserably, contemptuously, disdainfully, disrespectfully, impolitely, rudely, scornfully

Word Forms of Nicely

Inflections: nicer, nicest

Derived words: nicely (adverb), niceness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Nicely

Middle English, foolish, wanton, from Anglo-French, silly, simple, from Latin nescius ignorant, from nescire not to know nescience

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Nicely

do nicely, do nicely for oneself

Frequently Asked Questions about Nicely

What does "Nicely" mean?

"Nicely" means polite, kind. As an an adjective, a phrase and an adverb, it is defined as: polite, kind. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Nicely"?

Other words for "Nicely" include agreeably, charmingly, delectably, deliciously, delightfully, dreamily, enchantingly and enjoyably. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Nicely" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Nicely"?

There are 105 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Nicely". Common alternatives include agreeably, charmingly, delectably, deliciously, delightfully, dreamily, enchantingly, enjoyably, favorably and felicitously.

What is the opposite of "Nicely"?

Antonyms of "Nicely" include badly, disagreeably, ill, unpleasantly, bad, deficiently, inadequately and insufficiently. Near antonyms include abominably, appallingly, awfully and dreadfully.

How do you use "Nicely" in a sentence?

Examples of "Nicely" in a sentence: "he's a nicely helpful child"; "I'm doing nicely, and thanks for asking"; "excuse yourself nicely and you should be fine".

Is "Nicely" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Nicely" can be used as an adjective, a phrase and an adverb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Nicely"?

"Nicely" is pronounced /ˈnīs/.

What is the origin of the word "Nicely"?

"Nicely" comes from Middle English, foolish, wanton, from Anglo-French, silly, simple, from Latin nescius ignorant, from nescire not to know nescience. First known use: 14th century.