Word forms: comparative neater, superlative neatest
1. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A neat place, thing, or person is tidy and smart, and has everything in the correct place.
So they left her in the neat little house, alone with her memories.
She undressed and put her wet clothes in a neat pile in the corner.
...a girl in a neat grey flannel suit.
Everything was neat and tidy and gleamingly clean.
Synonyms: tidy, nice, straight, trim More Synonyms of neat
neatlyadverb [ADVERB with verb, ADVERB adjective/-ed]
He folded his paper neatly and sipped his coffee.
At the door was a neatly dressed, dignified man.
Synonyms: gracefully, expertly, efficiently, adeptly More Synonyms of neat
Synonyms: cleverly, precisely, accurately, efficiently More Synonyms of neat
Synonyms: tidily, nicely, smartly, systematically More Synonyms of neat
neatnessuncountable noun
The grounds were a perfect balance between neatness and natural wildness.
Synonyms: grace, skill, efficiency, expertise More Synonyms of neat
Synonyms: cleverness, efficiency, precision, elegance More Synonyms of neat
Synonyms: order, organization, harmony, tidiness More Synonyms of neat
2. adjective
Someone who is neat keeps their home or possessions tidy, with everything in the correct place.
'That's not like Alf,' he said, 'leaving papers muddled like that. He's always soneat.'
Synonyms: methodical, tidy, systematic, fastidious More Synonyms of neat
neatlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
I followed her into that room which her mother had maintained so neatly.
Josephine's few possessions are neatly arranged.
Synonyms: gracefully, expertly, efficiently, adeptly More Synonyms of neat
Synonyms: cleverly, precisely, accurately, efficiently More Synonyms of neat
neatnessuncountable noun
...a paragon of neatness, efficiency and reliability.
Synonyms: grace, skill, efficiency, expertise More Synonyms of neat
Synonyms: cleverness, efficiency, precision, elegance More Synonyms of neat
Synonyms: tidiness, niceness, orderliness, smartness More Synonyms of neat
3. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A neat object, part of the body, or shape is quite small and has a smooth outline.
...a faded woman with neat features.
...neat handwriting.
Synonyms: dainty, compact, petite More Synonyms of neat
neatlyadverb [ADVERB -ed]
She was a small woman, slender and neatly made.
Synonyms: gracefully, expertly, efficiently, adeptly More Synonyms of neat
Synonyms: cleverly, precisely, accurately, efficiently More Synonyms of neat
Synonyms: smartly, elegantly, stylishly, tidily More Synonyms of neat
4. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A neat movement or action is done accurately and skilfully, with no unnecessary movements.
A neat move between Black and Keane left Nigel Clough in the clear, but his shotskimmed wide of the far post.
neatlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
He watched her peel and dissect a pear neatly; no mess, no sticky fingers.
...watching a solitary car backing out neatly.
Synonyms: gracefully, expertly, efficiently, adeptly More Synonyms of neat
Synonyms: cleverly, precisely, accurately, efficiently More Synonyms of neat
5. adjective
A neat way of organizing, achieving, explaining, or expressing something is clever and convenient.
It had been such a neat, clever plan.
Neat solutions are not easily found to these issues.
'Make the punishment fit the crime.' How neat and tidy it sounded.
neatlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
Real people do not fit neatly into these categories.
The theory that personality is determined by our biology neatly lets everyone offthe hook.
Synonyms: gracefully, expertly, efficiently, adeptly More Synonyms of neat
Synonyms: cleverly, precisely, accurately, efficiently More Synonyms of neat
neatnessuncountable noun
He knew full well he had been outflanked, and he appreciated the neatness of it. [+ of]
Synonyms: grace, skill, efficiency, expertise More Synonyms of neat
Synonyms: cleverness, efficiency, precision, elegance More Synonyms of neat
6. adjective
If you say that something is neat, you mean that it is very good.
[US, informal, approval]
'Oh, those new apartments are really neat,' the girl babbled on.
It'll be neat to have a father and son playing on the same team.
He thought Mick was a really neat guy.
7. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
When someone drinks strong alcohol neat, they do not add a weaker liquid such as water to it.
[mainly British]
He poured himself a brandy and swallowed it neat.
He took a mouthful of neat whisky, and coughed.
regional note: in AM, use straight
Synonyms: undiluted, straight, pure, unmixed More Synonyms of neat
More Synonyms of neat
neat in British English1
(niːt)
adjective
1.
clean, tidy, and orderly
2.
liking or insisting on order and cleanliness; fastidious
3.
smoothly or competently done; efficient
a neat job
4.
pat or slick
his excuse was suspiciously neat
5.
(of alcoholic drinks) without added water, lemonade, etc; undiluted
6. a less common word for net2
neat profits
7. slang, mainly US and Canadian
good; pleasing; admirable
Derived forms
neatly (ˈneatly)
adverb
neatness (ˈneatness)
noun
Word origin
C16: from Old French net, from Latin nitidus clean, shining, from nitēre to shine; related to Middle Irish niam beauty, brightness, Old Persian naiba- beautiful
neat in British English2
(niːt)
nounWord forms: pluralneat
archaic or dialect
a domestic bovine animal
Word origin
Old English neat
neat in American English1
(nit)
adjective
1.
unmixed with anything; undiluted; straight
said esp. of liquor drunk without a mixer or chaser
2. Rare
free of deductions; net
3.
a.
clean and in good order; trim; tidy
b.
characterized by tidiness, skill, and precision
a neat worker
c.
without anything superfluous; simple
4.
well-proportioned; shapely
5.
cleverly or smartly phrased or done
6. Slang
nice, pleasing, fine, etc.
a generalized term of approval
Derived forms
neatly (ˈneatly)
adverb
neatness (ˈneatness)
noun
Word origin
Fr net < L nitidus, shining, elegant, smart, trim < nitere, to shine < IE base *nei-, to be active, shine > MIr nīam, luster, beauty
neat in American English2
(nit)
nounWord forms: pluralneat
Rare
a bovine animal; ox, cow, etc.
Word origin
ME nete < OE neat (akin to ON naut, Du noot) < base of neotan, to enjoy, possess < IE base *neud-, to make use of > Lith naudà, benefit, possessions
Examples of 'neat' in a sentence
neat
The common areas are full of good vibes and neat touches.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Now that's a neat hat trick.
The Sun (2016)
Little settled it in injury time with a neat finish.
The Sun (2009)
Always involved in neat exchanges and highly dangerous.
The Sun (2013)
You could always spot him as he was so neat and tidy.
The Sun (2015)
This is an impressively neat piece of writing.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The house managed the neat trick of being grand without being in the least formal.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Some neat touches in another impressive display.
The Sun (2011)
What you need up top is something neat and close to the body.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We make this area neat and clean.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The small and neat would be at home.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
With a really neat haircut and stubble.
The Sun (2014)
It is just a case of being neat and tidy.
The Sun (2014)
The resulting miniature masterpiece could be packed into small boxes that then fitted into neat cases ready for export.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
No one had read the "neat little signs" around the ship telling people how to put them on.
Christianity Today (2000)
Neat finish capped a super display.
The Sun (2013)
With a budget of 1 million you can find yourself a neat little modern apartment.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Real jobs don't fit into neat compartments.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
neat
British English: neat /niːt/ ADJECTIVE
A neat place, thing, or person is tidy, smart, and orderly.