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Synonyms

nifty

American  
[nif-tee] / ˈnɪf ti /

adjective

niftier, niftiest

  1. attractively stylish or smart.

    a nifty new dress for Easter.

  2. very good; fine; excellent.

    a nifty idea.

  3. substantial; sizable.

    We sold the car for a nifty profit.

noun

plural

nifties

  1. something nifty, as a clever remark or joke.

nifty British  
/ ˈnɪftɪ /

adjective

  1. pleasing, apt, or stylish

  2. quick, agile

    he's nifty on his feet
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • niftily adverb
  • niftiness noun

Etymology

Origin of nifty

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65; of obscure origin

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It must be so nifty being part of that.”

From Literature

However, some Gulf Coast shippers have devised a nifty Jones Act work-around that involves a circuitous route through the Bahamas.

From The Wall Street Journal

She got a nifty long pass from her teammate Taylor Heise and saw space.

From The Wall Street Journal

Layton maintains a simmering tension throughout, demonstrating a commitment to gritty SoCal locations, a few bang-up action sequences and nifty reveals.

From Los Angeles Times

The Chargers’ defense did an impressive job of putting the clamps on New England’s offense — some nifty runs by Maye notwithstanding — but the offense couldn’t turn those efforts into points.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.