niece

noun \ˈnēs\

: a daughter of your brother or sister

Full Definition of NIECE

: a daughter of one's brother, sister, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law

: an illegitimate daughter of an ecclesiastic

See niece defined for English-language learners

See niece defined for kids

Origin of NIECE

Middle English nece granddaughter, niece, from Anglo-French nece, niece, from Late Latin neptia, from Latin neptis; akin to Latin nepot-, nepos grandson, nephew — more at nephew

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with NIECE

cease, crease, fleece, grease, Greece, kris, lease, Nice, peace, piece

NIECE Defined for Kids

niece

noun \ˈnēs\

Definition of NIECE for Kids

: a daughter of a person's brother or sister

Learn More About NIECE

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "niece"

Nglish: Translation of "niece" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "niece" for Arabic speakers

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: niecelessPrevious Word in the Dictionary: nidusAll Words Near: niece

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up niece? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

Test Your Vocabulary!

10 Charming Words for Nasty People

Put-downs with flair

Learn More

When "Literally" isn't, well, literal

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Watch Now

Know what this is?

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Go Play

Fear of cats?

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears

Learn More