nice

/naIs/ adjective

1 ENJOYABLE/ATTRACTIVE pleasant, attractive or enjoyable: That's a nice dress. | We had a really nice day at the beach. | not too hot, just a nice temperature | “We could take a picnic.” “Yes, that'd be nice.” | it is nice to do something: It's nice to have a sit down. | It's really nice to see you again. | look/taste/smell nice: You look nice in that suit. | If it doesn't taste nice, don't eat it. | nice big/new/long etc spoken: I had a nice long letter from your mother. | nice and warm/nice and sweet etc: Have one of these oranges - they're nice and juicy. | one of the nice things about...: One of the nice things about Christmas is having all the family together..

2 FRIENDLY friendly or kind: Dave's a really nice guy. | He told me, in the nicest possible way, that I was interfering too much. | Did she really say all those nice things about me? | be nice to: Be nice to Grandad. He's not feeling very well today. | it is nice of sb (to do sth): It was nice of you to help.

3 it's nice to know (that) spoken used to mean that you feel happier when you know something: I still haven't heard any news - it would be nice to know what's happening

4 NOT NICE AT ALL spoken used when you think that something or someone is not nice at all: That's a nice way to treat a friend, I must say! | You've got us into a nice old mess, haven't you?

5 be as nice as pie spoken if someone is as nice as pie, they are very nice to you when you were expecting them to be angry: I told her about the broken window and she was as nice as pie about it.

6 have a nice day! spoken especially AmE used to say goodbye to someone, especially to customers in shops and restaurants when they are leaving

7 nice to meet you spoken used as a friendly greeting when you meet someone for the first time: Hello. It's nice to meet you at last.

8 it's been nice meeting you spoken used when you say goodbye to someone you have just met

9 nice one! BrE spoken used to say that you think someone has just said or done something clever and amusing: “Dad said he'd give us some money to help pay for it.” “Nice one!”

10 nice work! BrE spoken used to praise someone when they have succeeded in doing something: “I've traced those missing files, sir.” “Nice work, Cardew!”

11 DETAIL formal involving a very small difference or detail: a nice point of law

12 RESPECTABLE old-fashioned having high standards of moral and social behaviour: the kind of nightclubs nice people don't go to

— niceness noun (U) —see also: no more Mr Nice Guy! guy 1 (5) USAGE NOTE: NICE GRAMMAR Nice is often joined to another adjective by and when it follows is, seems etc without a noun. (But you do not use `nice and' before a noun): Your new house looks nice and big. Compare: This is a nice big house! SPOKEN-WRITTEN Nice is very frequent in spoken English, but many people feel you should not use it too much in writing. Often it is better to think of a word that describes what you mean more exactly. For example, look at this sentence: That area of France is really nice. Here you could make your meaning clearer by using more specific adjectives such as interesting or beautiful.