plural niceties
1
: the quality or state of being nice
2
: an elegant, delicate, or civilized feature
enjoy the niceties of life
3
: a fine point or distinction : subtlety
the niceties of table manners
4
: careful attention to details : delicate exactness : precision
5
: delicacy of taste or feeling : fastidiousness
Phrases
to a nicety
: exactly, accurately
… liked doing a quiet business in which they were sure of their customers, and could calculate their returns to a nicety.—
George Eliot
George EliotSynonyms
Examples of nicety in a Sentence
knows all the niceties of diplomatic protocol
a woman too fond of the niceties of urban living to even consider becoming a farmer's wife
Recent Examples on the Web
If the idea of waking up in a 20th-century train car sounds questionable, all the modern niceties of a luxury hotel room were present — including plush bedding and a rainfall shower with bath amenities from Byredo.
—Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2024
The rift between the soldier and the scientist continues to grow, but the Admiral is done with the niceties, and he is finished with Nima questioning his actions.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2024
Its rejection of liberal democracy is born not only of Chinese chauvinism but also of a Leninist contempt for bourgeois niceties such as the rule of law, freedom of conscience, and individual dignity.
—Nick Frisch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Oct. 2017
Each Queens Grill suite comes with a butler, niceties inside the suites, and special tables at the exclusive Queens Grill Restaurant and other events.
—Heather Steinberger, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2024
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Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2024
The rift between the soldier and the scientist continues to grow, but the Admiral is done with the niceties, and he is finished with Nima questioning his actions.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2024
Its rejection of liberal democracy is born not only of Chinese chauvinism but also of a Leninist contempt for bourgeois niceties such as the rule of law, freedom of conscience, and individual dignity.
—Nick Frisch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Oct. 2017
Each Queens Grill suite comes with a butler, niceties inside the suites, and special tables at the exclusive Queens Grill Restaurant and other events.
—Heather Steinberger, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nicety
Dictionary Entries Near nicety
Cite this Entry
“Nicety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nicety. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nicety
noun
nice·ty
ˈnī-sət-ē 
-stē
plural niceties
1
: a dainty, delicate, or elegant thing
enjoy the niceties of life
2
: a small point or detail
niceties of table manners
3
: careful attention to details
nicety is needed in making watches
4
: the point at which a thing is at its best
roasted to a nicety
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