neat

adjective

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\ ˈnēt

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

3 informal : very pleasant, fun, or enjoyable : wonderful, excellent —used as a generalized term of enthusiastic approval had a neat time!What a neat idea!We met some neat people at the party.

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

adverb

Definition 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)

Other Words from neat Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about neat

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Examples of neat in a Sentence

Adjective 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 on the Web: Adjective Be especially wary of closets, and try some closet organization ideas for a neat and tidy space. — Blair Donovan, Country Living, "Learn How to Get Rid of Mice from Your Home with These Tips," 20 Apr. 2021 This often means wearing loose jeans, neat and presentable -- and far more comfortable, casual and forgiving than skinny jeans. — Kara Alaimo, CNN, "These are the jeans women REALLY need," 20 Apr. 2021 The neat and clean minimalist design has no cables and includes a chassis that gives the impression that the vinyl is floating on air above the loudspeaker cabinet. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes, "La Boite Concept LX Blends Beautiful Handcrafted Furniture With Cutting-Edge Audio Technology," 19 Apr. 2021 Ready to hold anything from diapers to wipes, this stand will look neat and tidy on the side of your changing station. — Southern Living, "15 Essential Organizers for Every Area of Your Nursery," 10 Apr. 2021 The application form must be neat and legible, and filled out completely. — courant.com, "Community news for the Glastonbury edition," 9 Apr. 2021 Sure, the administration did let a pool reporter and camera into a neat and orderly facility in Carrizo Springs, Texas, a day before Biden held his first formal solo news conference. — Clarence Page, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Hiding border troubles from news cameras only makes the spotlight brighter," 30 Mar. 2021 This expert doom-and-gloomer can’t help but enjoy the tulips finally poking through the soil, the garden fresh and neat and full of promise before the weeds stake their claim and entropy prevails. — BostonGlobe.com, "Such a downer," 27 Mar. 2021 Cutting them up into neat squares is the hard part. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, "What’s your brownie preference? Here’s a recipe for the fans of gooey," 13 Apr. 2021

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.

History and Etymology for neat

Adjective and Adverb

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

Noun

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

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Last Updated

28 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Neat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neat. Accessed 8 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for neat

neat

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of neat

: not messy : clean and orderly

: liking to keep things very clean and orderly

: simple and clever

See the full definition for neat in the English Language Learners Dictionary

neat

adjective

\ ˈnēt

neater; neatest

Kids Definition of neat

1 : showing care and a concern for order a neat room

2 : skillful in a fascinating or entertaining way a neat trick

Choose the Right Synonym for 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.