neat

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noun \ ˈnēt \

Definition of neat

plural neat or neats

:the common domestic bovine (Bos taurus)

Recent Examples of neat from the Web

Neat features such as soft-close doors, a heated front windshield, a power open/close trunklid, headlights that swivel with the steering wheel, and more are available.

— eric stafford, Car and Driver, "2017 Jaguar XF," 23 June 2017
Cantinas aren’t a place for cocktail snobbery: Order tequila and beer or maybe a brandy neat.

— bon appétit, Bon Appetit, "El Mirador de Chapultepec," 13 Apr. 2017
That fascination pervades Karasu, where even a whiskey neat is crafted with a many-stepped ritual.

— wei tchou, The New Yorker, "Ceremonial Drinking at Karasu," 13 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'neat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of neat

Middle English neet, from Old English nēat; akin to Old High German nōz head of cattle, Old English nēotan to make use of, Lithuanian nauda use

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

neat

adjective

Definition of neat

1 :free from dirt and disorder :habitually clean and orderly

kept her room neat

2 a :free from admixture or dilution (see ¹dilute 3) :straight

neat brandy

neat cement

b :free from irregularity :smooth

neat silk

3 :marked by tasteful simplicity

a neat outfit

4 a :precise, systematic

mathematics … retains the neat exactness of the surgeon's knife
—Bertrand Russell

b :marked by skill or ingenuity :adroit

a neat trick

5 :net

neat profit

6 :fine, admirable

What a neat idea!

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neatly

adverb

—

neatness

noun

See neat defined for English-language learners

See neat defined for kids

Examples of neat in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of neat from the Web

This was a neat idea that Peter King’s Monday Morning Quarterback website rolled out just as NFL training camps are about to open.

— greg cote, miamiherald, "12 former Dolphins and 10 ex-Hurricanes are selected in historic All-Time NFL Draft," 19 July 2017
A lace bonnet keeps her dark curls in place, save for a few neat strands that frame her face.

— The Economist, "Fame and favourabilityJane Austen, 200 years on," 13 July 2017
For neat edges, clean off knife in warm water and dry between slicing.

— milwaukee, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "New York Cheesecake with Fresh Berries," 3 July 2017
Brush your teeth, wear deodorant and make sure your clothes are clean and neat — even if this isn't your usual routine.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "Dressing for a job interview can be tricky, so take the stress out of your outfit," 29 June 2017
Dada tenderly plaits Hussainia’s bushy hair into neat cornrows.

— TIME.com, "Boko Haram’s Other Victims," 27 June 2017
But with the apartment neat and a guardian watching over Mr. Shapiro, a judge dismissed the eviction nuisance complaint.

— nikita stewart, New York Times, "Manhattan Man, 80, Faces Eviction Again After Years of Fighting Back," 27 June 2017
Boys and girls are responsible for keeping the bedrooms neat – and other than a handful of cuddly toys peppered across the bunk beds, the rooms are immaculate.

— ryan lenora brown, The Christian Science Monitor, "In South Sudan, preparing young generation for young country's future," 26 June 2017
Although the film's conclusion may be a bit too neat, there's a reassuring symmetry to the narrative's optimistic resolution.

— justin lowe, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Bachelors': Film Review | LAFF 2017," 23 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of neat

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

neat Synonyms

neat

adverb

Definition of neat

1 :in a neat manner

his hair combed back neat
—J. M. Cain

2 :without admixture or dilution :straight

Origin and Etymology of neat

see ²neat

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1578

See Words from the same year

NEAT Defined for English Language Learners

neat

adjective

Definition of neat for English Language Learners

: not messy : clean and orderly
: liking to keep things very clean and orderly
: simple and clever

NEAT Defined for Kids

neat

play

adjective \ ˈnēt \

Definition of neat for Students

neater; neatest

1 :showing care and a concern for order

a neat room

2 :skillful in a fascinating or entertaining way

a neat trick

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neatly

adverb

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neatness

noun

History for neat

The English word neat can be traced back to a Latin adjective nitidus that meant “shining,” “bright,” or “clear.” The French word net that came from this Latin word had the same meanings and came into English as neat. English neat at first meant “bright” or “clean.” Later it was used to mean “simple and in good taste,” “skillful,” and “tidy.”

Synonym Discussion of neat

neat, tidy, and trim mean showing care and a concern for order. neat is used when something is clean in addition to being orderly.

- Your clothes should always be neat.

tidy is used for something that is continually kept orderly and neat.

- I work hard to keep my room tidy.

trim is used when something is orderly and compact.

- They live in trim, comfortable houses.

Learn More about neat

See words that rhyme with neat Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for neat Spanish Central: Translation of neat Nglish: Translation of neat for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of neat for Arabic speakers

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neat

Definition of neat

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Recent Examples of neat from the Web

Origin and Etymology of neat

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

neat

Definition of neat

neatly

neatness

Examples of neat in a Sentence

Recent Examples of neat from the Web

Origin and Etymology of neat

neat Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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neat

Definition of neat

Origin and Etymology of neat

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NEAT Defined for English Language Learners

neat

Definition of neat for English Language Learners

NEAT Defined for Kids

neat

Definition of neat for Students

neatly

neatness

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