ENGLISH
REFERENCE

nicely

adv.
US //ˈnaɪsɫi// UK //nˈaɪsli// nice·ly
  1. 1 pleasantly or well (adv.)
    A2 Elementary

    in a pleasant, kind, or satisfactory way.

    in a manner that is pleasant, agreeable, or satisfactory.

    Example

    The children played nicely together in the garden all afternoon.

    Example

    The new software integrates nicely with our existing database, saving the IT department hours of manual configuration.
  2. 2 precisely (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    with great care and attention to small details.

    with fine discernment, precision, or exactness.

    Example

    The two parts of the machine fit nicely together.

    Example

    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.
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  1. 3 carefully (adv.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary

    doing something very carefully or being very fussy about details.

    in a fastidious, refined, or overly careful manner.

    Example

    The old documents were nicely arranged in the wooden chest.

    Example

    He was a man who dressed nicely, paying extreme attention to the fold of his cravat and the shine of his boots.
Origin

From Middle English nycely; equivalent to nice + -ly.

Word family
  • Adjectivenice
  • Adverbnicely

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