Word
nicely
Phoneticsnice·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈnaɪsɫi/
UK/nˈaɪsli/
Adverb of manner
Definitions
01pleasantly or well
A2 · Elementary
adv. in a pleasant, kind, or satisfactory way.
adv. in a manner that is pleasant, agreeable, or satisfactory.
“The children played nicely together in the garden all afternoon.”
“The new software integrates nicely with our existing database, saving the IT department hours of manual configuration.”
Synonyms
02precisely
C1 · Advanced Formal
adv. with great care and attention to small details.
adv. with fine discernment, precision, or exactness.
“The two parts of the machine fit nicely together.”
“The author nicely distinguishes between the two theories, highlighting subtle differences that most critics overlook.”
Usage
Often used in technical or academic contexts to describe a distinction or a fit.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03carefully
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Literary
adv. doing something very carefully or being very fussy about details.
adv. in a fastidious, refined, or overly careful manner.
“The old documents were nicely arranged in the wooden chest.”
“He was a man who dressed nicely, paying extreme attention to the fold of his cravat and the shine of his boots.”
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English nycely; equivalent to nice + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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