nice

Less common meanings

6. 6
   adverbcolloquial

   In a good, kind, or pleasing way.

   Play nice with your little brother.

   If you ask nice, I will share my snack with you.

   UsageYou can say play nice. In formal writing, use nicely.

   Similarwell, carefully, beautifully

   Oppositebadly, poorly

7. 7
   preciseadjective

   Needing or showing very careful and exact judgment.

   There is a nice distinction between being alone and being lonely.

   There is a nice difference between the two words that most people miss.

   UsageOften in a nice distinction: one that is small and hard to notice.

   Similarfine, subtle, delicate, precise, discerning

   Oppositecrude, rough, broad

   Note
8. 8
   kindnessnoununcountable

   The quality of being kind and pleasant.

   A little nice goes a long way when your coworkers are stressed.

   Grandpa always says the world could use more nice.

   Similarkindness, patience, friendliness

   Note
9. 9
   fussyadjectivedated

   Hard to please and fussy about small details.

   Choice, nice in eating; fastidiosus in edendo.

   1898, Joseph Bosworth, T. Northcote TollerHere, nice means fussy and hard to please.

   Similarfussy, fastidious, particular, finicky, choosy

   Oppositeunfussy, undemanding

   Note
10. 10
    adjectivearchaic

    Very careful and strict about doing things exactly right.

    But if I dispense with the dreams of neurotics, my main material, I cannot be too nice [translating wählerisch] in my dealings with the remainder.

    1999, Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of DreamsHere, nice means very careful and strict about standards.

    Note
11. 11
    adjectiveobsolete

    Easily hurt or damaged and very delicate.

    Note
12. 12
    adjectiveobsolete

    Foolish or silly, and not knowing much.

    Old fashions please me best; I am not so nice To change true rules for odd inventions.

    c. 1590, William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”Here, nice means foolish or silly.

    Note
13. 13
    adjectiveobsolete

    Uncertain and risky in how it might end.

    It has been a damned nice thing - the nearest run thing you ever saw in your life.

    1822, T. Creevey, ReminiscencesHere, nice means risky, with the result in doubt.

    [W]ere it good / To ſet the exact wealth of al our ſtates / Al at one caſt? to ſet ſo rich a maine / On the nice hazard of one doubtfull houre?

    c. 1597, William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Fourth,”Here, nice means risky and uncertain.

    Note
14. 14
    adjectiveironic

    Said in a joking, unkind way about something bad or rude, to show you are annoyed.

    That's a nice way to talk to your grandmother. Say sorry right now.

    Nice job leaving the gate open. Now the dog is gone.

    Similarfine, great, lovely

    Note
15. 15
    verb

    To run a computer task at a chosen priority, usually a lower one, so other tasks can go first.