nice nelly

or nice Nelly

[ nel-ee ]

/ ˈnɛl i /

Save This Word!

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).

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby nice nelly

Nice guys finish last, nice-looking, Nicene, Nicene Council, Nicene Creed, nice nelly, nice-nellyism, Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, Nicetas, nicety, nicey-nicey

Other definitions for nice nelly (2 of 2)

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.

Origin of nice-nelly

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25