neat

²neat

adj

Definition of NEAT

1

: free from dirt and disorder : habitually clean and orderly

2

a : free from admixture or dilution : straight <neat brandy> <neat cement> b : free from irregularity : smooth <neat silk>

3

: marked by tasteful simplicity <a neat outfit>

4

a : precise, systematic b : marked by skill or ingenuity : adroit

5

: net <neat profit>

6

: fine, admirable

— neat·ly adverb

— neat·ness noun

Examples of NEAT

1. He keeps his apartment neat and clean.
2. The store is always busy but they manage to keep the shelves stocked and neat.
3. a nice neat pile of magazines
4. Fold the paper to make a neat edge.
5. a neat man who always wore a suit
6. He's got a neat way of memorizing information.
7. There is, unfortunately, no neat solution to the problem.
8. She's a neat person who has traveled a lot.

Origin of NEAT

Middle French net, from Latin nitidus bright, neat, from nitēre to shine; probably akin to Middle Irish níam luster

First Known Use: 1542

Related to NEAT

Synonyms: antiseptic, bandbox, crisp, groomed, kempt, orderly, picked up, prim, shipshape, smug, snug, tidied, tidy, trig, trim, uncluttered, well-groomed

Antonyms: disheveled (or dishevelled), disordered, disorderly, messy, mussed, mussy, sloven, slovenly, unkempt, untidy

Related Words: dapper, natty, saucy, smart, spiffy, spruce; immaculate, spick-and-span (or spic-and-span), spotless; rakish, sleek, streamlined, taut; organized, straight, systematic

Near Antonyms: scruffy, seedy, shabby, slipshod, sloppy; dirty, filthy, foul, nasty, sordid, squalid; dowdy, frowsy (or frowzy), rumpled, tousled, tumbled; disorganized, unsystematic

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