nice-nelly

or nice-Nel·ly

[ nahys-nel-ee ]
/ ˈnaɪsˈnɛl i /

adjective

characterized by prudishness or excessive modesty: The entrance of his nice-nelly friend stopped the flow of risqué stories.
being a euphemism; euphemistic: nice-nelly expressions.

QUIZZES

PRACTICE SOME ESCAPISM WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

We salute you if you remember all the doovers from Word of the Day between May 25 and May 31!
Question 1 of 7
salute
to call out to in order to stop, attract attention, ask aid, etc.
to wield power; exercise rule.
to express respect or praise for; honor; commend.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of nice-nelly

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Words nearby nice-nelly

niccolite, nice, nice guys finish last, nice nelly, nice-looking, nice-nelly, nice-nellyism, nicene, nicene council, nicene creed, niceno-constantinopolitan creed

Definition for nice-nelly (2 of 2)

nice nelly

or nice Nelly

[ nel-ee ]
/ ˈnɛl i /

noun

a person who professes or exhibits excessive modesty, prudishness, or the like: too much of a nice nelly to have any fun.
nice-nellyism(def 2).
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020