German edit

Etymology edit

An originally Low and Central German word from Middle Low German nǖtlīk (delicious, delicate) and Central Franconian Middle High German nītlīche, late Central Middle High German niethlīchen (eagerly). It is then from Old Saxon niudlīko (eagerly) (compare Old English nēodlīċe), derived from Old Saxon niud, from Proto-Germanic *neudaz (desire, drive, urge), equivalent to nied +‎ -lich. More at English needly.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): [ˈniːtlɪç]
  • (file)

Adjective edit

niedlich (strong nominative masculine singular niedlicher, comparative niedlicher, superlative am niedlichsten)

  1. cute, pretty, charming, adorable
  2. (humorous) tiny, minute

Declension edit

Synonyms edit

Derived terms edit

Further reading edit

  • niedlich” in Duden online
  • niedlich” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache