A1 noun Neutral #1,486 most common

nice

/naɪs/

A word used to describe something that is pleasant, enjoyable, or attractive. It also describes a person who is kind, friendly, and polite to others.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The weather is very nice today, so let's go for a walk.

The weather is very pleasant today, so let's go for a walk.

2

It was very nice of you to send a thank-you note after the interview.

It was very thoughtful of you to send a thank-you note after the interview.

3

That is a really nice shirt you are wearing!

That is a really cool shirt you are wearing!

Word Family

Noun
niceness
Adverb
nicely
Adjective
nice
Related
nicety
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Memory Tip

Think of the letters in NICE: Nearly Ideal, Charming, and Easy.

Quick Quiz

It was very ___ of you to help me with my bags.

Correct!

The correct answer is: nice

Examples

1

The weather is very nice today, so let's go for a walk.

everyday

The weather is very pleasant today, so let's go for a walk.

2

It was very nice of you to send a thank-you note after the interview.

formal

It was very thoughtful of you to send a thank-you note after the interview.

3

That is a really nice shirt you are wearing!

informal

That is a really cool shirt you are wearing!

4

The author provides a nice summary of the previous research in the introduction.

academic

The author provides a clear and useful summary of the previous research in the introduction.

5

It was nice meeting you, and I look forward to our future collaboration.

business

It was a pleasure meeting you, and I look forward to our future collaboration.

Word Family

Noun
niceness
Adverb
nicely
Adjective
nice
Related
nicety

Common Collocations

nice weather pleasant weather
nice person a kind individual
look nice to appear attractive
nice surprise a pleasant unexpected event
have a nice time to enjoy oneself

Common Phrases

Have a nice day

A polite way to say goodbye

Nice to meet you

A greeting used when meeting someone for the first time

Nice try

Used to acknowledge an attempt, sometimes sarcastically

Often Confused With

nice vs kind

'Kind' specifically refers to a person's helpful nature, while 'nice' can describe objects, weather, or general pleasantness.

nice vs fine

'Fine' often means 'okay' or 'good enough', whereas 'nice' implies a higher level of pleasure or beauty.

📝

Usage Notes

While 'nice' is very common in spoken English, it is often considered a 'weak' word in creative or formal writing because it is very general.

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Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'nice' to describe everything positive; try to use more specific words like 'delicious' for food or 'beautiful' for scenery to sound more advanced.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the letters in NICE: Nearly Ideal, Charming, and Easy.

📖

Word Origin

Originally from the Old French 'nice' meaning 'silly' or 'simple', which came from the Latin 'nescius' meaning 'ignorant'.

Grammar Patterns

Comparative form: nicer Superlative form: nicest Often used with 'very' or 'really'
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Cultural Context

In English-speaking cultures, 'nice' is the standard polite adjective used to keep social interactions smooth and friendly.

Quick Quiz

It was very ___ of you to help me with my bags.

Correct!

The correct answer is: nice

More Descriptions words

huge

A1

Something that is huge is extremely large in size, amount, or degree. It is a more powerful word than 'big' used to emphasize that something is much larger than normal.

giant

A1

A giant is an imaginary creature that looks like a human but is much bigger and stronger. It is also used to describe a real person or thing that is very large or successful.

massive

A1

Something that is massive is very, very large and heavy. It can also describe something that is much bigger or more powerful than usual.

short

A1

Describes something that measures a small distance from one end to the other or is not tall in height. It is also used to describe a brief period of time or a limited amount of something.

narrow

A1

Narrow describes something that has a very small distance from one side to the other. It is the opposite of wide and is often used to describe roads, paths, or spaces.

excellent

A1

Something that is extremely good or of very high quality. It is used to praise someone's work, a specific object, or a positive experience.

wonderful

A1

Something that is very good, pleasant, or makes you feel great admiration. It is used to describe things or experiences that are extremely enjoyable and high in quality.

ugly

A1

Something that is unpleasant to look at and lacks beauty or attractiveness. It can also describe a situation, behavior, or sound that is very unpleasant, mean, or dangerous.

pretty

A1

A person or object that is considered attractive or pleasing to look at. While mostly used as an adjective, as a noun it refers to decorative items or a charming person.

handsome

A1

This word is an adjective used to describe someone, usually a man, who is physically attractive with well-proportioned features. It can also be used to describe an impressively large amount of something, such as money or a reward.

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