Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
niais. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
niais, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
niais in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
niais you have here. The definition of the word
niais will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
niais, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
French
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
Inherited from Old French niés, from a Vulgar Latin *nīdācem, derived from nīdus (“nest”) + -āx.
Adjective
niais (feminine niaise, masculine plural niais, feminine plural niaises)
- (falconry, of a bird) caught in the nest
- inexperienced, green
- Synonyms: inexpérimenté, novice
- silly, vacuous, stupid
- Synonyms: sot, nigaud, idiot, zozo
Noun
niais m (plural niais)
- buffoon, fool
Etymology 2
See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.
Verb
niais
- first/second-person singular imperfect indicative of nier
Further reading
Anagrams
Norman
Etymology
From Latin *nidax, from nidus (“nest”).
Adjective
niais m
- (Jersey) stupid
1903, Edgar MacCulloch, “Proverbs, Weather Sayings, etc.”, in Guernsey Folk Lore, page 517:Il est niais coume Dadais qui se couachait dans l'iaue d'paeur d'être mouailli.- He is as foolish as Dadais who lay down in the water to avoid getting wet in a shower.