A rhodamine B-based fluorescent probe for nitrite ion ($NO{_2}^-$) has been designed, synthesized, characterized and its properties for recognition of $NO{_2}^-$ were studied. Nearly non fluorescent probe upon reaction with nitrite ion significantly triggered the fluorescence. Fluorescence response is based on ring opening of the spirolactam of rhodamine B phenyl hydrazide showing maximum absorbance at 552 nm and maximum emission at 584 nm. Probe 3 exhibited high sensitivity and extreme selectivity for nitrite ion over other common ions and oxidants ($Cl^-$, $ClO^-$, $ClO{_2}^-$, $ClO{_3}^-$, $ClO{_4}^-$, $SO{_4}^{2-}$, $SiO{_3}^{2-}$, $NO{_3}^{2-}$, $CO{_3}^{2-}$) examined in methanol water (1:1, v/v) at pH 7.0. The probe might be a new efficient tool for detection of nitrite ion in natural water and biological system.