Nicely
/ˈnaɪsli/noun
In a pleasant, agreeable, or satisfactory manner.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin *nescius* meaning “ignorant” or “not knowing,” and its meaning wandered through centuries until it landed on modern politeness.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ne-
“not”
Latin
Latin
nescire
“to not know, be ignorant”
Old French
Old French
nice
“foolish, simple, ignorant”
Middle English
English
nice
“foolish, silly, fastidious, delicate”
Late Middle English
English
niceliche / nicely
“in a nice manner”
Modern English
English
nicely
“in a pleasant, agreeable, or satisfactory manner”
Explore more surprising origins