nifty

[nif-tee]

adjective

niftier, niftiest 

1. attractively stylish or smart.

   a nifty new dress for Easter.

2. very good; fine; excellent.

   a nifty idea.

3. substantial; sizable.

   We sold the car for a nifty profit.

noun

plural

nifties 

1. something nifty, as a clever remark or joke.

nifty

/ ˈnɪftɪ /

adjective

1. pleasing, apt, or stylish

2. quick, agile

   he's nifty on his feet

Other Word Forms

• niftily adverb
• niftiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nifty¹

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65; of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of nifty¹

C19: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

“Well, I’ll be! I almost didn’t recognize you, Cassawoof, in that nifty dancing outfit. And look at you two fine fellows, with your hair all slicked back! Shows what I know about fashion.”

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Their—soon to be everyone’s—nifty solution to the problem of selling the lower floors appears, in retrospect, almost magical.

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Booker was a menace on both sides of the court, grabbing five rebounds, blocking five shots and even throwing a nifty pass to a cutting Jamar Brown for a layup.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

His bullying Isaiah sprints from pep talks to threats in the same breath and runs around in nifty outfits covered in weighted beads.

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That return to form was summed up by a searing break in the second half, where the England wing almost ran half the pitch to score after some nifty footwork.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• dandy 
• excellent 
• neat 
• stylish 
• terrific