adjective
nifty
NIHF-tee
Nifty (adjective) means Impressively clever, useful, or stylish. Example: “She showed me a nifty trick for folding fitted sheets.”
adjective
1
Impressively clever, useful, or stylish.
"You look nifty in that jacket."
"She showed me a nifty trick for folding fitted sheets."
"That's a nifty little gadget for opening jars."
"a nifty trick for reducing your household energy bill"
How to use nifty
Learner’s notesIn 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
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like nifty.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- nifties
- Comparative
- niftier
- Superlative
- niftiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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."
Class of 1860
nifty joined the language around 1860.
See the full Class of 1860 →
Related words
Rhymes for nifty
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.".
