nicety
Delicate point observed
Nicety is a fine point or subtle distinction: the niceties of grammar, legal niceties.
The word often appears in the plural to mean polite formalities or refined details: We dispensed with the social niceties and got down to business.
A nicety can also be a delicate or elegant feature—something pleasant but not essential: The hotel room had all the niceties.
The phrase to a nicety means precisely or exactly: The roast was done to a nicety.
Courteous, respectful conduct
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- mannersCustoms of polite conduct
- civilityFormal politeness in conduct
- decorumFitting social conduct
propriety · formality · protocol · deference · consideration · respect · tactfulness · diplomacy
Slight shade of difference
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- shadeDarkness from blocked light
- gradationIncremental transition between stages
- refinementElegance of manner
fine point · intricacy · delicacy · particularity · shading · overtone · connotation · undertone
Correctness in every detail
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- detailSingle small element
- meticulousnessExtreme carefulness in details
- particularitySpecific distinguishing feature
specificity · exactitude · scrupulousness · punctiliousness · rigor · fine point · technicality · hair-splitting
Refined, graceful quality
- refinementElegance of manner
- polishSmooth by rubbing
- cultivationFostering growth through care
- tasteFlavor perception ability
discernment · culture · worldliness · urbanity · savoir-faire · finesse · grace · style
Informal light conversation
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- complimentWords expressing approval
- greetingExpression of welcome
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
cordiality · amiability · sociability · warmth · congeniality · flattery · wit · charm
politeness
Courteous, respectful conduct
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- mannersCustoms of polite conduct
- civilityFormal politeness in conduct
decorum · propriety · formality · protocol · deference · consideration · respect · tactfulness · diplomacy · graciousness
nuance
Slight shade of difference
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- shadeDarkness from blocked light
- gradationIncremental transition between stages
refinement · fine point · intricacy · delicacy · particularity · shading · overtone · connotation · undertone · implication
exactness
Correctness in every detail
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- detailSingle small element
- meticulousnessExtreme carefulness in details
particularity · specificity · exactitude · scrupulousness · punctiliousness · rigor · fine point · technicality · hair-splitting · calibration
elegance
Refined, graceful quality
- refinementElegance of manner
- polishSmooth by rubbing
- cultivationFostering growth through care
taste · discernment · culture · worldliness · urbanity · savoir-faire · finesse · grace · style · cosmopolitanism
chitchat
Informal light conversation
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- complimentWords expressing approval
- greetingExpression of welcome
exchange · cordiality · amiability · sociability · warmth · congeniality · flattery · wit · charm · repartee
- Precision Wordsexact, precision, accuracy, precise, accurate
- subtletiesnuance, nuances, subtlety, fine point, shade
- triflestrifle, trivia, bagatelle, minutiae, nothing
- refinementrefinement, elegance, sophistication, polish, taste
- tiny amountsbit, drop, hint, dash, dot
- triviatrivia, facts, quiz, anecdotes, trivia night
nicetyimprecision
Lack of exactness
inaccuracy · inexactness · impreciseness · inexactitude · approximation
nicetybluntness
Frank, unvarnished manner
crudeness · obviousness · crudity · heavy-handedness · ham-fistedness
nicetycoarseness
Rough or vulgar quality
crudeness · roughness · vulgarity · crudity · indelicacy
- have a nice dayFormulaic well-wishing farewell
- nice to meet youPolite introduction phrase
- nice tryIronic concession to failure
- nice jobVerbal approval of effort
- nice weatherAgreeable atmospheric conditions
- nice guyPleasant, considerate person