nicety

[ nahy-si-tee ]

noun

, plural ni·ce·ties.

1. a delicate or fine point; punctilio:

   niceties of protocol.

2. a fine distinction; subtlety; detail:

   the niceties of the filigree work.

3. Usually niceties. a refined, elegant, or choice feature, as of manner or living:

   working hard to acquire the niceties of life.

4. exactness or precision.
5. the quality of being nice; niceness.
6. delicacy of character, as of something requiring care or tact:

   a matter of considerable nicety.

nicety

/ ˈnaɪsɪtɪ /

noun

1. a subtle point of delicacy or distinction

   a nicety of etiquette

2. usually plural a refinement or delicacy

   the niceties of first-class travel

3. subtlety, delicacy, or precision
4. excessive refinement; fastidiousness
5. to a nicety
   with precision

Other Words From

• over·nice·ty noun plural overniceties

Word History and Origins

Origin of nicety¹

1275–1325; Middle English: silliness, extravagance, cleverness < Old French niceté. See nice, -ty ²

Example Sentences

But niceties such as existing law and precedent may not always stand in the way.

From New York Times

A vegan who smokes medicinal herbs and has no time for Midwestern niceties, Robyn has had many lives.

From Los Angeles Times

Diplomatic niceties suggest if you meet one candidate in a foreign election contest, you meet the other one too.

From BBC

"The law is so interested in procedural niceties and procedural complexities that it loses really what's at stake in the case."

From Salon

For example, you do not engage in conversations based on “mutual respect” and “the free exchange of ideas” and such niceties and quaint idealized assumptions with enemies of democracy.

From Salon

Related Words

• nuance
• refinement
• rigor
• subtlety