Naughty vs. Nice — What's the Difference?

(Child's context) Behaving badly or not following rules.

Pleasing and agreeable in nature.

Suggestively improper.

Of good quality and condition.

Playfully misbehaving.

Exhibiting kindness and courtesy.

Mischievous or disobedient, especially in a playful way.

Desirable or satisfactory.

Improper or slightly indecent.

Politely refined and respectable.

(especially of a child) badly behaved; disobedient

Nice ( NEESS, French: [nis]; Nissard Occitan: Niça, classical norm, or Nissa, nonstandard, pronounced [ˈnisa]; Italian: Nizza [ˈnittsa]; Ancient Greek: Νίκαια; Latin: Nicaea) is the seventh most populous urban area in France and the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department. The metropolitan area of Nice extends beyond the administrative city limits, with a population of nearly 1 million on an area of 744 km2 (287 sq mi).

Wicked.

Giving pleasure or satisfaction; pleasant or attractive

Behaving disobediently or mischievously

(especially of a difference) slight or subtle

Indecent; improper

Fastidious; scrupulous.

One that is naughty.

A resort city on the French Riviera, near the border with Italy; population 348,721 (2007).

Mischievous; tending to misbehave or act badly (especially of a child).

Pleasing and agreeable in nature

Evil, wicked, morally reprehensible.

Having a pleasant or attractive appearance

(obsolete) Bad, worthless, substandard.

Exhibiting courtesy and politeness

Having little or nothing.

Of good character and reputation; respectable.

Worthless; bad; good for nothing.

Overdelicate or fastidious; fussy.

Hence, corrupt; wicked.

Showing or requiring great precision or sensitive discernment; subtle

Mischievous; perverse; froward; guilty of disobedient or improper conduct; as, a naughty child.

Done with delicacy and skill

Badly behaved;

Used as an intensive with and

Wanton; profligate

Affectedly modest; coy

Pleasant, satisfactory.

Of a person: friendly, attractive.

Respectable; virtuous.

Shows that the given adjective is desirable, or acts as a mild intensifier; pleasantly, quite.

Showing refinement or delicacy, proper, seemly

(obsolete) Silly, ignorant; foolish.

Particular in one's conduct; scrupulous, painstaking; choosy.

(dated) Having particular tastes; fussy, fastidious.

(obsolete) Particular as regards rules or qualities; strict.

Showing or requiring great precision or sensitive discernment; subtle.

(obsolete) Easily injured; delicate; dainty.

(obsolete) Doubtful, as to the outcome; risky.

(colloquial) Nicely.

Used to signify a job well done.

Used to signify approval.

Niceness.

To run a process with a specified (usually lower) priority.

Foolish; silly; simple; ignorant; also, weak; effeminate.

Of trifling moment; unimportant; trivial.

Overscrupulous or exacting; hard to please or satisfy; fastidious in small matters.

Delicate; refined; dainty; pure.

Apprehending slight differences or delicate distinctions; distinguishing accurately or minutely; carefully discriminating; as, a nice taste or judgment.

Done or made with careful labor; suited to excite admiration on account of exactness; evidencing great skill; exact; fine; finished; as, nice proportions, nice workmanship, a nice application; exactly or fastidiously discriminated; requiring close discrimination; as, a nice point of law, a nice distinction in philosophy.

Pleasing; agreeable; gratifying; delightful; good; as, a nice party; a nice excursion; a nice day; a nice sauce, etc.

Pleasant; kind; as, a nice person.

Well-mannered; well-behaved; as, nice children.

A city in southeastern France on the Mediterranean; the leading resort on the French Riviera

Pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance;

Socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous;

Done with delicacy and skill;

Excessively fastidious and easily disgusted;

Noting distinctions with nicety;

Exhibiting courtesy and politeness;

Naughty behavior typically involves breaking minor rules or social norms in a playful or harmless way.

Being nice fosters goodwill, cooperation, and positive relationships in both personal and professional settings.

Nice is generally perceived positively, enhancing social interactions by making them more pleasant and amicable.

Not necessarily; naughty often carries a light, playful connotation, especially when referring to children or casual contexts.

Cultural interpretations can vary significantly, with some viewing it as charming or spirited and others seeing it as inappropriate.

Yes, someone can exhibit both qualities, depending on the situation and behavior.

Intent is crucial; naughty behavior often involves a playful intent without malice.

Examples include helping others, being polite, and showing respect in interactions.

It depends on the context; being nice is generally more socially acceptable, but being naughty can be suitable in playful or informal settings.

Society often rewards nice behavior with social approval, trust, and deeper relationships.