What is "nice guy"

n. 1 (context literally English) A male person who has a pleasant, friendly manner. 2 (context idiomatic euphemistic English) An inoffensive adult male who desires romantic companionship but who is too bland and uninspiring to be attractive.

A nice guy is an informal term for a teenage or adult male who portrays himself as gentle, compassionate, sensitive and/or vulnerable. The term is used both positively and negatively. When used positively, and particularly when used as a self-descriptor, it is intended to imply a male who puts the needs of others before his own, avoids confrontations, does favors, gives emotional support, tries to stay out of trouble, and generally acts nicely towards others. In the context of a relationship, it may also refer to traits of honesty, loyalty, romanticism, courtesy and respect. When used negatively, a nice guy implies a male who is unassertive, does not express his true feelings and, in the context of dating (in which the term is often used), uses acts of ostensible friendship with the unstated aim of progressing to a romantic or sexual relationship.