Word
nifty
US/ˈnɪfti/
UK/nˈɪfti/
Definition
adj. clever, useful, or well-designed. You use this to describe a small tool or a smart idea that solves a problem easily.
adj. skilfully or effectively designed; clever and convenient in operation. Often used to describe small gadgets, technical solutions, or physical movements.
Examples
“That is a nifty little tool for opening jars.”
“She found a nifty way to organize her digital photos using a simple tagging system.”
“The software includes several nifty features that automate the most tedious parts of the data entry process, saving the team hours of manual labor every week.”
Examples
simple
“That is a nifty little tool for opening jars.”
contextual
“She found a nifty way to organize her digital photos using a simple tagging system.”
complex
“The software includes several nifty features that automate the most tedious parts of the data entry process, saving the team hours of manual labor every week.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun; informal in register.
Etymology
From *nift + -y. First element is of unknown origin. Possibly theatrical slang, as a shortened, altered form of Magnificat. Alternatively, perhaps a special use of US regional niffed (“put off, peeved”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.