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 EliotExamples 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
The movie’s off-color humor wouldn’t fly today, but its rebellious spirit remains hilariously defiant — a refreshingly rude retort to the niceties of family films and their cringey feel-good messages.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 25 July 2025
Many experts argue that transparency is not just an ethical nicety but a practical necessity for adoption in health care settings.
—Turgay Ayer, The Conversation, 11 July 2025
But in actuality, there’s little indication social niceties significantly improve outputs.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 July 2025
The renovation, which combines Catalan heritage with modern niceties, is the work of the Barcelona design firm Astet Studio, a group that’s known for some of the sexiest dining rooms in Marbella.
—Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nicety
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Tim Grierson, Vulture, 25 July 2025
Many experts argue that transparency is not just an ethical nicety but a practical necessity for adoption in health care settings.
—Turgay Ayer, The Conversation, 11 July 2025
But in actuality, there’s little indication social niceties significantly improve outputs.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 July 2025
The renovation, which combines Catalan heritage with modern niceties, is the work of the Barcelona design firm Astet Studio, a group that’s known for some of the sexiest dining rooms in Marbella.
—Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nicety
Cite this Entry
“Nicety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nicety. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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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