neater; neatest
Definition of neat
(Entry 1 of 3)
1
: free from dirt and disorder : habitually clean and orderly
kept her room neat
2a
: marked by skill or ingenuity : adroit
a neat trick
b
: precise, systematic
mathematics … retains the neat exactness of the surgeon's knife— Bertrand Russell
4a
: free from admixture or dilution (see dilute entry 1 sense 3) : straight
neat brandy neat cement
b
: free from irregularity : smooth
neat silk
5
: marked by tasteful simplicity
a neat outfit
6
: net
neat profit
neat
adverbDefinition of neat (Entry 2 of 3)
1
: in a neat manner
his hair combed back neat— J. M. Cain
2
: without admixture or dilution : straight
neat
noun
plural neat or neats
Definition of neat (Entry 3 of 3)
: the common domestic bovine (Bos taurus)
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for neat
The first known use of neat was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century