01 a. Foolish; silly; simple; ignorant; also, weak; effeminate.
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1.
Foolish; silly; simple; ignorant; also, weak; effeminate.[Obs.]“But say that we ben wise and nothing nice.” — Chaucer.
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2.
Of trifling moment; unimportant; trivial.[Obs.]“The letter was not nice, but full of charge Of dear import.” — Shak.
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3.
Wanton.[Obs.]
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5.
Delicate; refined; dainty; pure; -- of people.“Dear love, continue nice and chaste.” — Donne.“A nice and subtile happiness.” — Milton.
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6.
Apprehending slight differences or delicate distinctions; distinguishing accurately or minutely; carefully discriminating; as, a nice taste or judgment; -- of people.
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7.
Done or made with careful labor; suited to excite admiration on account of exactness; evidencing great skill; exact; fine; finished; as, nice proportions, nice workmanship, a nice application.
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8.
Exactly or fastidiously discriminated; requiring close discrimination; fine; subtle; as, a nice point of law, a nice distinction in philosophy.“The difference is too nice Where ends the virtue, or begins the vice.” — Pope.
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9.
Pleasing; agreeable; gratifying; delightful; good; as, a nice party; a nice excursion; a nice day; a nice sauce, etc.; -- of events, actions, experiences.
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10.
Pleasant; kind; as, a nice person; -- of people.
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11.
Well-mannered; well-behaved; as, nice children; -- of people.“He's making a list, checking it twice. Gonna find out who's naughty or nice Santa Claus is coming to town.” — Song.
Phrases & compounds
To make nice of —
to be scrupulous about.
Syn.
Dainty; delicate; exquisite; fine; subtle; accurate; exact; correct; precise; particular; pleasant; kind; scrupulous; punctilious; fastidious; squeamish; finical; effeminate; well-mannered; well-behaved.