tidy

¹ti·dy

adjective \ˈtī-dē\

ti·di·erti·di·est

Definition of TIDY

1

: properly filled out : plump

2

: adequately satisfactory : acceptable, fair <a tidy solution to their problem>

3

a : neat and orderly in appearance or habits : well ordered and cared for

b : methodical, precise <a tidy mind>

4

: large, substantial <a tidy profit>

— ti·di·ly \ˈtī-də-lē\ adverb

— ti·di·ness \ˈtī-dē-nəs\ noun

Examples of TIDY

1. He has always been a tidy person.
2. She earns a tidy salary.
3. They paid a tidy sum for the house.

Origin of TIDY

Middle English, timely, in good condition, from tide time

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to TIDY

Synonyms

antiseptic, bandbox, crisp, groomed, kempt, orderly, picked up, prim, shipshape, smug, snug, tidied, neat, 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

Rhymes with TIDY

vide

²tidy

verb

ti·diedti·dy·ing

Definition of TIDY

transitive verb

: to put in order <tidy up a room>

intransitive verb

: to make things tidy <tidying up after supper>

— ti·di·er noun

Examples of TIDY

1. I tidied the house before they arrived.

First Known Use of TIDY

1821

³tidy

noun

plural tidies

Definition of TIDY

1

: a usually compartmentalized receptacle for various small objects

2

: a piece of fancywork used to protect the back, arms, or headrest of a chair or sofa from wear or soil

First Known Use of TIDY

circa 1828