Words / C2

NYS-uh-tee/ˈnaɪsəti/

A nicety is a fine point of difference, or a refinement of manners: a nicety of law, diplomatic niceties. Nuance (already in the dictionary) is a close twin for shade of meaning; detail (already in the dictionary) is everyday and broader. Pedantic (already in the dictionary) is the vice of fussing the nicety and missing the n. Do not spend the hour on a nicety of tone while the date is blank.

Meaning

A fine detail or distinction; also a refined point of manners.

Examples

• “A nicety of wording does not excuse a missing date in the n.”
• “Detail is everyday. Nuance is a shade of meaning (already in C1). Pedantic fuss is the trap (already in C2). Nice is “pleasant” — a lookalike, not a synonym. Courtesy about titles can be a nicety; an empty cell cannot wait on the courtesy.”

Good to know

A fine distinction or refinement. Everyday: fine point. Close: nuance (already in this dictionary). Mix-up: nice. Tone ≠ a date.

Near in meaning

nuance

New