adjective

nifty

NIHF-tee

Nifty (adjective) means Impressively clever, useful, or stylish. Example: “She showed me a nifty trick for folding fitted sheets.”

adjective

Impressively clever, useful, or stylish.

"She showed me a nifty trick for folding fitted sheets."

"That's a nifty little gadget for opening jars."

How to use nifty

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA casual word for something clever, handy, or cool.

When to use it

Informal — fine in conversation, too casual for formal writing.

Common pairings

a nifty trick a nifty gadget nifty little device

Word forms

niftier comparative, nifties plural, niftiest superlative

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She showed me a _____ trick for folding fitted sheets.

Etymology

Origin unclear — first recorded in American slang in the 1860s, possibly linked to theatrical slang or a regional word meaning "peeved."

· First attested 1860

Class of 1860 nifty joined the language around 1860.

gag Marguerite Stetson

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Rhymes for nifty

fifty shifty thrifty

See all rhymes for nifty →

Frequently asked questions

What does “nifty” mean?

The word “nifty” means impressively clever, useful, or stylish. In plain terms, a casual word for something clever, handy, or cool.

How do you pronounce “nifty”?

“Nifty” is pronounced NIHF-tee (/ˈnɪfti/ in IPA).

How do you use “nifty” in a sentence?

Here is “nifty” used in a sentence: “She showed me a nifty trick for folding fitted sheets.”

What part of speech is “nifty”?

“Nifty” is an adjective.

Where does the word “nifty” come from?

The word “nifty” dates back to around 1860. Origin unclear — first recorded in American slang in the 1860s, possibly linked to theatrical slang or a regional word meaning "peeved.".