nicely
Nicely (adv) means In a pleasant or satisfactory way. Example: “The garden has come along nicely this year.”
How to use nicely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe adverb form of nice — doing something in a pleasant, satisfactory, or careful way.
Word forms
nicelier comparative, more nicely comparative, Nicelys plural, niceliest superlative, most nicely superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The garden has come along _____ this year.
Etymology
From nice plus the adverb ending -ly.
Related words
Rhymes for nicely
See all rhymes for nicely →Frequently asked questions
What does “nicely” mean?
The word “nicely” means in a pleasant or satisfactory way. In plain terms, the adverb form of nice — doing something in a pleasant, satisfactory, or careful way.
How do you pronounce “nicely”?
“Nicely” is pronounced NUH-ihs-lee (/ˈnʌɪsli/ in IPA).
How do you use “nicely” in a sentence?
Here is “nicely” used in a sentence: “The garden has come along nicely this year.”
What part of speech is “nicely”?
“Nicely” is an adverb.
Is “nicely” a common word?
“Nicely” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “nicely” have?
“Nicely” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a pleasant or satisfactory way.
What is the difference between nice and nicely?
Nice is an adjective, so it describes nouns: 'the room is nice.' Nicely is the adverb, so it modifies verbs and describes how something happens: 'the room is nicely decorated.' Saying 'the plan worked nice' is nonstandard; standard English requires 'the plan worked nicely.'
Is nicely a formal or informal word?
Nicely is neutral: it is at home in conversation, business writing, and most formal prose. In very precise writing, though, a more specific adverb — politely, carefully, neatly, or satisfactorily — can be a stronger choice because nicely covers so many meanings.
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