nicely
gb/nˈaɪsli/ us/nˈaɪsli/
A2
English
~ 7500
szépen, kedvesen, udvariasan, jól, pont, pontosan
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to [verb] [someone] nicely
If you ask nicely, they might let you leave early.
Ha szépen kéred, lehet, hogy megengedik, hogy korábban elmenj.
Please speak nicely to your sister and stop shouting at her.
Kérlek, beszélj szépen a testvéreddel, és ne kiabálj vele.
The children agreed to share their toys after the teacher asked them nicely.
He always treats the staff nicely, even when he is busy.
They didn’t invite him because he never plays nicely with the other kids.
Learner examples
She talks nicely to her grandparents.
Kedvesen beszél a nagyszüleivel.
If you ask nicely, I can help you.
Ha szépen kéred, tudok segíteni.
The boy did not play nicely with his friends.
Please treat the new student nicely.
He always speaks nicely to customers.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *nicely* instead of *nice* before a noun, saying *a nicely person* instead of *a nice person*. Remember: *nice* is used before nouns, and *nicely* is used to describe how an action is done (a verb).
Meaning
in a kind or polite way
Collocations
ask nicely
|treat [someone] nicely
|speak nicely
|play nicely
|behave nicely
Synonyms
politely (Focuses more on being correct and respectful in social rules, not always warm or friendly.)
|
kindly (Sounds slightly more formal and emphasizes gentleness and care rather than general pleasantness.)
Antonyms
rudely (Describes speaking or acting in a way that is not polite or respectful, the opposite of behaving nicely.)
|
harshly (Emphasizes an unfriendly, hard, or unkind way of speaking or acting.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|social behavior
|relationships
Definition
In a kind and polite way, especially when you talk to or treat someone.
In a kind, considerate, or pleasantly polite manner, especially in how someone speaks or behaves toward others.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
to [verb] nicely
The project is coming along nicely and should finish on time.
A projekt szépen halad, és várhatóan időben befejeződik.
Her new job seems to be going nicely so far.
Úgy tűnik, eddig jól alakul az új munkája.
The cake baked nicely, with a light and fluffy texture.
Everything worked out nicely in the end despite the early problems.
The two teams are cooperating nicely on the joint report.
Learner examples
The meeting went nicely today.
A mai megbeszélés jól ment.
The sauce cooked nicely on a low heat.
A szósz kis lángon szépen összefőtt.
His plan worked nicely for everyone.
The painting is coming along nicely.
The machine runs nicely after the repair.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes overuse *nicely* in formal writing where *well* or *successfully* sound more natural. In academic or business texts, prefer *well*, *smoothly*, or *successfully* instead of *nicely*.
Meaning
in a good or successful way
Collocations
come along nicely
|work nicely
|go nicely
|cook nicely
|turned out nicely
Synonyms
well (A very general word for doing something in a good way; *nicely* can sound a bit more friendly or pleased.)
|
smoothly (Focuses on something happening without problems; *nicely* is broader and simply means the result is good.)
Antonyms
badly (Describes an action or result that is poor in quality or unsuccessful, the opposite of doing something nicely.)
|
poorly (Emphasizes low quality or weak performance instead of a good result.)
Themes
evaluation
|work
|daily life
|daily_life
Definition
In a good way that gives a good result or works well.
In a way that is good, satisfactory, or works well, often referring to progress, performance, or results.
B1
3
Usage pattern:
[something] fits [something] nicely
The new sofa fits nicely in the corner of the living room.
Az új kanapé pont jól elfér a nappali sarkában.
That figure rounds up nicely to an even hundred.
Ez a szám szépen felkerekíthető kerek százra.
This jacket sits nicely on your shoulders.
Fifty dollars would do nicely for the train fare.
The colors on this page line up nicely with our brand style.
Learner examples
The shoes fit you nicely.
Ez a cipő pont jó rád.
The table fits nicely by the window.
Az asztal pont jól elfér az ablak mellett.
This number goes nicely into ten groups.
Your tie goes nicely with your shirt.
Twenty minutes will do nicely for a short break.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this use with a general positive meaning and say sentences like *The food fits nicely* when they mean *The food tastes nice*. Use this sense mostly for size, shape, numbers, or things matching each other.
Meaning
exactly or suitably, often neatly
Collocations
fits nicely
|goes nicely with
|sits nicely
|line up nicely
|do nicely
Synonyms
perfectly (Stronger and more absolute; *nicely* suggests it is suitably right, not always completely perfect.)
|
neatly (Emphasizes order and tidiness; *nicely* is broader and includes being suitable or comfortable.)
Antonyms
awkwardly (Describes something that does not fit or sit in a comfortable or suitable way.)
|
poorly (Shows that two things do not match or fit together in a good or suitable way.)
Themes
measurement
|evaluation
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Exactly or in a way that is just right, for example in size, shape, or amount.
To an exact, suitable, or neatly correct degree, especially when something fits, matches, or is the right amount.
B2
4
szépen
A2
Usage pattern:
nicely [past participle/adjective]
The steak was nicely cooked, pink in the middle.
A steak szépen volt elkészítve, a közepe rózsaszín maradt.
She arrived nicely dressed for the formal dinner.
A hivatalos vacsorára szépen felöltözve érkezett.
The room is nicely decorated with plants and soft lights.
By the evening, the house was nicely warmed by the sun.
The report is nicely balanced between data and explanation.
Learner examples
The chicken was nicely cooked.
A csirke szépen átsült.
He is always nicely dressed for work.
Mindig szépen felöltözik a munkához.
The garden is nicely clean now.
The soup is nicely warm, not too hot.
The picture is nicely clear on this screen.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *very nicely cooked* when *perfectly cooked* or *really well cooked* would sound more natural in some contexts. Also, avoid using *nicely* before nouns (say *a nice dress*, not *a nicely dress*).
Meaning
to a fairly good degree
Collocations
nicely cooked
|nicely dressed
|nicely decorated
|nicely balanced
|nicely warmed
Synonyms
quite (A general degree adverb; *nicely* adds a feeling of pleasantness or approval.)
|
fairly (More neutral; *nicely* suggests the speaker is pleased with the result.)
Antonyms
badly (Shows that something is done in a poor way instead of to a pleasant degree.)
Themes
evaluation
|description
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Quite or fairly, but not very, often used before adjectives to show a good level of something.
To a fairly good or pleasant degree, but not extremely, especially when modifying adjectives or past participles.
Grammar
Dictionary form
nicely
IPA
GB/nˈaɪsli/
US/nˈaɪsli/
Syllables & stress
nicely (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (nicely)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: nicely
- Plural: nicelies
Word family
Forms
nicelies
noun
Core family
nice
adjective A1
Related words
niceness
noun
Advanced or less common
nicety
noun
Expressions
ask nicely
1/ˈæsk nˈaɪsli/
fixed phrase
request something politely and kindly
To ask for something in a polite and kind way, often to increase the chance of getting it.
Examples
- If you ask nicely, your parents might let you stay up later.
- He only agreed to help after she asked him nicely.
- She told the children to ask nicely instead of shouting.
come out nicely
1/kˈʌm ˈaʊt nˈaɪsli/
fixed phrase
turn out in a pleasing way
To have a good or pleasing result, for example a photo, a cake, or some work you did.
Examples
- The photos came out nicely despite the low light.
- I hope the cake comes out nicely this time.
- The print on that T-shirt came out nicely after washing.
fit nicely with
1/fˈɪt nˈaɪsli wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
match or combine well with
To go well with something else in style, size, idea, or purpose.
Examples
- Her ideas fit nicely with the company’s long-term plans.
- The new chairs fit nicely with the rest of the furniture.
- This chapter fits nicely with what we studied last week.
play nicely
1/plˈeɪ nˈaɪsli/
fixed phrase
play in a kind, non-rough way
To play with other people without fighting, shouting, or being unkind, especially said to children.
Examples
- Remember to share your toys and play nicely with your cousins.
- The teacher asked the kids to play nicely on the playground.
- They don’t always play nicely when they are tired.
that will do nicely
1/ðˈæt wˈɪl dˈu nˈaɪsli/
fixed phrase
that is enough or suitable
Used to say that something is good enough or suitable for what you need.
Examples
- "Is twenty euros enough?" – "Yes, that will do nicely."
- If you could print two copies, that will do nicely.
- A small room like this will do nicely for the meeting.
treat [someone] nicely
1/tɹˈit sˈʌmwˌʌn nˈaɪsli/
fixed phrase
behave kindly toward someone
To be kind and polite to someone, and not be rude or unkind to them.
Examples
- Please treat the new employee nicely on her first day.
- He treats everyone nicely, no matter who they are.
- They did not treat her nicely during the meeting.
work out nicely
1/wˈɚk ˈaʊt nˈaɪsli/
fixed phrase
end or develop in a good way
To finish or develop in a good way, often better than you expected.
Examples
- In the end, the travel plans worked out nicely for everyone.
- Her schedule worked out nicely so she could attend both events.
- Everything worked out nicely despite the delay.