overnice

as inpedantic
as inprecious
as inprissy
as inprudish
as ininkhorn
as inpedantical
as infastidious
as infinicky

Synonyms for overnice

adj bookish, precise

Antonyms for overnice

precious

adjective. extremely sophisticated and picky

Word Origin & History

late 13c., "foolish, stupid, senseless," from Old French nice (12c.) "careless, clumsy; weak; poor, needy; simple, stupid, silly, foolish," from Latin nescius "ignorant, unaware," literally "not-knowing," from ne- "not" (see un-) + stem of scire "to know" (see science). "The sense development has been extraordinary, even for an adj." [Weekley] -- from "timid" (pre-1300); to "fussy, fastidious" (late 14c.); to "dainty, delicate" (c.1400); to "precise, careful" (1500s, preserved in such terms as a nice distinction and nice and early); to "agreeable, delightful" (1769); to "kind, thoughtful" (1830).

By 1926, it was pronounced "too great a favorite with the ladies, who have charmed out of it all its individuality and converted it into a mere diffuser of vague and mild agreeableness." [Fowler]

Example Sentences for overnice

What was she trying to say with her dark hints and overnice scruples of a Puritan conscience?

overnice

Synonyms for overnice

Antonyms for overnice

More words related to overnice

fastidious

finicky

inkhorn

pedantic

pedantical

precious