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neaten

verb
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neat·​en | \ ˈnē-tᵊn How to pronounce neaten (audio) \
neatened; neatening\ ˈnēt-​niŋ How to pronounce neatening (audio) , ˈnē-​tᵊn-​iŋ \

Definition of neaten

transitive verb

1 : to set in order : make neat
2 : to finish (something, such as a piece of sewing) carefully
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about neaten

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Examples of neaten in a Sentence

I am trying to neaten my desk. neatened the living room in anticipation of company
Recent Examples on the Web By the morning of the breakfast, the farm had been neatened. — Julie Bosman, BostonGlobe.com, "The dairy breakfast: The most important meal of the year," 22 June 2019 By the morning of the breakfast, the farm had been neatened. — Julie Bosman, BostonGlobe.com, "The dairy breakfast: The most important meal of the year," 22 June 2019 By the morning of the breakfast, the farm had been neatened. — Julie Bosman, BostonGlobe.com, "The dairy breakfast: The most important meal of the year," 22 June 2019 By the morning of the breakfast, the farm had been neatened. — Julie Bosman, BostonGlobe.com, "The dairy breakfast: The most important meal of the year," 22 June 2019 By the morning of the breakfast, the farm had been neatened. — Julie Bosman, BostonGlobe.com, "The dairy breakfast: The most important meal of the year," 22 June 2019 By the morning of the breakfast, the farm had been neatened. — Julie Bosman, BostonGlobe.com, "The dairy breakfast: The most important meal of the year," 22 June 2019 By the morning of the breakfast, the farm had been neatened. — Julie Bosman, BostonGlobe.com, "The dairy breakfast: The most important meal of the year," 22 June 2019 By the morning of the breakfast, the farm had been neatened. — Julie Bosman, BostonGlobe.com, "The dairy breakfast: The most important meal of the year," 22 June 2019

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

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First Known Use of neaten

1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Time Traveler for neaten

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The first known use of neaten was in 1828

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Cite this Entry

“Neaten.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neaten. Accessed 19 January 2020.

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More Definitions for neaten

neaten

verb
How to pronounce neaten (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of neaten

: to make (something) orderly or neat : to clean up (something)

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on neaten

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for neaten

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with neaten

Spanish Central: Translation of neaten

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