overnice
/'ouvə'nais/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Excessively or overly fastidious, particular, or delicate: Describes a person who is too concerned with minor details, cleanliness, or propriety to an unreasonable degree, often to the point of being easily disgusted or offended.
Usage
- The adjective "overnice" is used to describe a person's character or behavior. It carries a critical or negative connotation, suggesting that the level of fastidiousness is unnecessary, exaggerated, or problematic.
- It is typically used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "be" or "seem").
Examples
- Attributive use:
- His overnice manners made everyone at the informal barbecue feel uncomfortable.
- She has an overnice approach to grammar, correcting every tiny perceived error.
- Predicative use:
- Don't be so overnice; just eat what is served.
- He was too overnice about hygiene to enjoy the camping trip.
Advanced Usage
- "Overnice" in criticism: Often used to critique someone for being impractical or difficult due to excessive refinement or scrupulousness.
- The editor's overnice attention to formatting delayed the publication for weeks.
- Implied comparison: The "over-" prefix inherently suggests a comparison to a normal or acceptable level of being "nice" or fastidious.
- Her standards are not just high; they are overnice.
Variants and Related Words
- Fastidious (adj): Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail, or cleanliness. (Less negative than "overnice").
- Squeamish (adj): Easily nauseated or disgusted; overly sensitive.
- Finicky (adj): Fussy about one's needs or requirements.
- Persnickety (adj): Placing too much emphasis on trivial details; fussy. (Similar in meaning and tone to "overnice").
Synonyms
- Overfastidious
- Hypercritical
- Overparticular
- Prissy (informal, can imply excessive propriety)
Antonyms
- Unfussy
- Easygoing
- Uncritical
- Slovenly (in the context of carelessness about cleanliness/details)
Adjective
- excessively fastidious and easily disgusted
- too nice about his food to take to camp cooking
- so squeamish he would only touch the toilet handle with his elbow