neatneat /niːt/ ●●● S2 adjective 
neat handwriting His clothes were always neat and clean. Everything in the house was neat and tidy. She arranged the books in a nice neat pile.► see thesaurus at tidy2liking things tidy someone who is neat likes to keep things tidy: I’ve always been quite neat.3good American English spoken very good, pleasant, or enjoyable: That’s a really neat idea. I liked working for him – he was a neat guy.► see thesaurus at good4small something that is neat is small and attractive: her small, neat features5clever formal a neat way of doing or saying something is simple but clever and effective: In the end we found a very neat solution to the problem. a neat summary of the main issues6drinks especially British English a neat alcoholic drink has no ice or water or any other liquid added SYN straight: I can’t drink brandy neat. drinking neat whisky—neatly adverb: He wrote his name neatly at the bottom of the page. The problem was neatly summed up by one of the teachers.—neatness noun [uncountable]
WORD ORIGINneat
Origin:
1500-1600 French net, from Latin nitidus ‘bright, neat’, from nitere ‘to shine’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "Why don't we go to the beach!'' "Yeah that sounds really neat.''
- a neat software package
- An man in a neat gray suit sat on the other side of the bar.
- Billy's cottage was set back off the road, behind a neat little hedge.
- Chris looked neat and well shaven.
- Douglas drinks his scotch neat.
- Draw a rough diagram -- it doesn't have to be very neat.
- Gina has very small neat handwriting.
- He put his clothes in a neat pile on the bed.
- His jackets were arranged in a neat row in the closet.
- I bought a neat tool for carving wood.
- I like to see everything looking neat and tidy.
- I met some really neat people at the conference.
- It's a complicated problem, and there's no neat solution.
- Jim and I need more time together away from the kids, so we came up with this neat idea of meeting after work.
- Mrs Woodie cut the sandwiches in neat squares.
- Neither of my sons is neat by nature.
- One of our designers has come up with a neat idea for storing computer disks.
- She had been waiting there all night, but she still looked neat.
- Taking up a sport is a neat way of meeting new people, and it's good for you too.
- A few neat steps, a well-choreographed move and they claimed one back.
- At the Penta the porters had worked out a neat scam with the airline crews who regularly booked into the hotel.
- Dole has to go negative without seeming negative, a neat trick.
- He was about fifty-five, short, sturdy, and very neat.
- The handwriting was neat and prim.
- They were part of another life, neat signals towards its ending.
- Two paths crossed the rectangular field, forming a neat St Andrew's Cross of down-trodden grass.
THESAURUS
British English a place, room etc that is tidy looks nice because everything has been arranged and put in the right place: · a tidy desk· I want to leave the place clean and tidy before we go.
use this about things that are carefully arranged in a way that is nice to look at: · a neat pile of towels· The room was neat and tidy.
a place or thing that is immaculate is perfectly clean and neat – use this to emphasize how clean something looks: · Our house was always immaculate.
a well-kept building or garden is very well cared for and looks neat and clean: · a large house on well-kept grounds
arranged or organized in a sensible or neat way: · The room was orderly and uncluttered.
of a high standard or quality: · I’ve just read a really good book.· My French is not very good.
pleasant and enjoyable. Nice is very common in spoken English. In written English, it is better to use other words: · I hope you have a nice vacation.· It will be nice to see you again.
well made from good materials: · If you buy good quality shoes, they last much longer.· high-quality wallpapers
used for describing things of a very high quality, or weather with no rain and clear skies: · The restaurant serves the finest food in Florence.· If it’s fine tomorrow, we’ll go for a walk.
American English spoken good – used when you like something: · That’s a neat idea.· They sell some really neat stuff.
an attractive offer, course of action etc seems good and makes you want to accept it or do it: · Going home for dinner was a more attractive proposition than completing his run.· Buying direct from the manufacturer seems the most attractive option.
something that is impressive is good in a way that makes people admire it: · an impressive achievement· It was a very impressive performance.
Longman Language Activatortidy work/writing work or writing that is neat has been done very carefully: · Gina has very small neat handwriting.· Draw a rough diagram -- it doesn't have to be very neat.
something you like or enjoy very much · Did you have a good weekend?· It's one of the best books I've ever read.· That smells good. What are you cooking?· There's nothing good on TV these days.· This year's show was much better than last year's.very/really good · We enjoyed our trip to Canada. It was really good.
pleasant or enjoyable: · I hope you have a nice vacation.· Come over on Saturday. It would be nice to see you.very/really nice: · She made us a really nice dinner.
spoken also excellent extremely good: · Thanks for a great afternoon.· "Did you have a good holiday?'' "It was great!''· Our local theatre has put on some excellent productions.· an excellent film
so good that it could not be made any better: · It was a perfect day out.· This church is a perfect example of Gothic architecture.· "How was your holiday?'' "Oh, just perfect!''
spoken very good in a way that makes you feel happy or excited: · The kids had a marvellous time at the carnival.· You get a wonderful view of the mountains from here.· The special effects in the movie were just fantastic.· Their latest album's terrific.
very good in a surprising and exciting way: · Standing there on top of Mount Fuji was an amazing experience.· What a goal! That was just incredible!
spoken extremely good: · You should come to the new sports centre - it's brilliant.· "How was your trip?" "Absolutely brilliant!"
American spoken very good or enjoyable: · That's such a neat car.really neat: · The fireworks over Golden Gate Park were really neat.
spoken use this to say that something is so good, enjoyable etc, that it is almost the best you have ever experienced: · Her new apartment's out of this world!· This is the best soufflé I've ever tasted -- it's out of this world.
good ideas/plans/suggestions · "Why don't you write to your bank and ask for a loan?'' "That's a good idea.''· I thought it would be a good idea to arrive early.· That's the best suggestion you've made all day.· The best way of getting your children to learn foreign languages is to send them to stay abroad.
extremely good: · We were given some excellent financial advice by Mr Samuel.· That sounds like an excellent idea to me.
spoken informal a great idea is one that you like very much: great idea: · "Let's have a barbecue." "That's a great idea."great!: · "You want to go to a movie instead?" "Yeah, great, why not!"
American spoken say this when you think an idea is good because it is original and clever: · Jim and I need more time together away from the kids, so we came up with this neat idea of meeting after work.· "Why don't we go to the beach!'' "Yeah that sounds really neat.''
extremely good, in a way that makes you feel happy or excited: · I've just though of a fantastic idea.· "What do you think of Kate's suggestion?'' "I think it's terrific.''
British informal extremely good and clever: · "Maybe we should invite them over here instead of going to their place." "Brilliant!"· Joanna came up with a brilliant idea for a new book.
: attractive offer/proposition/package etc one that is very good and makes you want to accept it: · The job pays well and you get a company car and 30 days holiday a year -- it's certainly an attractive offer.· We've put together what we think is a very attractive package, including discounts, special offers, and free credit.
a clever plan, idea, or way of doing something especially British a clever idea, plan, or way of doing something is good and works well: · It sounds like a clever idea. Do you think it'll work?· Virtual Listening Systems have introduced one of the year's most unusual and clever new products.· I've thought of a really clever way of making money.
an intelligent idea, question etc is thought of or asked by someone who is intelligent: · Have you got any intelligent suggestions to make?· Anne was surprised to hear such an intelligent question coming from a very small child.
an ingenious method, idea, or piece of equipment is cleverly designed to do a job or solve a problem in a very original way: · A scanner is an ingenious device which enables you to feed pictures, photos or documents into a computer system.· American scientists have come up with an ingenious way of getting rid of cockroaches.· The catalogue is full of ingenious ideas for transforming your house into a dream home.· In the end it was Pete who thought of a really ingenious solution to the problem.
an idea etc that is clever, simple, and effective: · One of our designers has come up with a neat idea for storing computer disks.· Taking up a sport is a neat way of meeting new people, and it's good for you too.· It's a complicated problem, and there's no neat solution.
a system or machine such as a computer that is smart is cleverly designed and does something effectively: · The new software system is really smart and it's much quicker to use too.
carefully planned, clever, and intended to deceive people: · They use all kinds of cunning tricks to make people give them money.· His leadership style was to maintain power through a combination of force and cunning strategy.· a cunning marketing ploy
a crafty plan or way of doing something etc is one that is cleverly planned and involves deceiving other people, in a way that people admire: · It was a crafty question. "Why are you trying to catch me out?" he replied.· Jerry and Tony had worked out a crafty way of avoiding paying tax.
an inspired idea, plan etc is extremely clever and impressive and is one that someone suddenly thinks of, without knowing how or why: · "How did you know the answer to that?" "I didn't, it was just an inspired guess."· Even the most inspired forecasts of how prices are going to move can't be right all the time.· The band represents some of the best young talent that's around, resulting in a sound that's both innovative and inspired.
a clever idea about how to do something: · I like it! It sounds like a really bright idea.· I don't know what kind of present she'd like -- if you have any bright ideas let me know.have/come up with the bright idea of doing something (=often used humorously): · George came up with the bright idea of visiting every pub we passed.
not mixed with anything else not mixed with anything else: · The bottle contained 4 litres of pure alcohol.· When it first comes out of the ground, the oil is not very pure.pure silk/wool/cotton: · Clothes made of pure cotton are much cooler than those made of mixed fibers.20%/50% etc pure: · Crude cocaine is only about 25 percent pure.
: solid gold/silver/pine etc made of gold, silver, wood etc that has not been mixed with any other metal or wood: · a solid gold necklace· The antiques dealer guessed that the furniture was Victorian and solid mahogany.
if something is 100% beef, 100% cotton etc, it is made only from beef or cotton, and has no other food or material added to it: · The label said '100% wool'.· The hamburgers at this restaurant are 100% beef.· a 100% graphite tennis racket
if you have a strong alcoholic drink neat or straight, you do not mix it with another drink or with water: · He always drinks his whisky neat.· I'll have a straight vodka please.
not mixed with other less pure substances: · Nowadays more and more people are choosing to buy unadulterated organic food, which has been grown without pesticides and chemicals.
a tidy place/room/group of things British a place, room etc that is tidy looks nice because everything has been arranged and put in the right place tidy: · Andrew's apartment is always so tidy.· That looks a bit tidier now, doesn't it?· a tidy deskkeep something tidy: · I think the least you could do is keep your own bedroom tidy.· My job was to mow the grass and keep the garden looking generally tidy.clean and tidy/neat and tidy/nice and tidy: · We spent the morning getting the whole house clean and tidy.· I want to leave the place nice and tidy before we go.
use this about things that are carefully arranged or shaped in a way that is nice to look at: · Mrs Woodie cut the sandwiches in neat squares.· The room was neat, though a bit dusty.· Billy's cottage was set back off the road, behind a neat little hedge. neat pile/row: · He put his clothes in a neat pile on the bed.· His jackets were arranged in a neat row in the closet.neat and tidy: · I like to see everything looking neat and tidy.
a place or thing that is immaculate is perfectly clean and neat -- use this to emphasize how clean something looks: · Our house was immaculate, and Mother taught us to be polite and deferential to visitors.· a tiny harbour ringed with immaculate white clapboard housesimmaculate suit/shirt/uniform etc: · He was dressed in an immaculate navy suit and a crisp white shirt.· tall, blond soldiers in immaculate uniforms
a well-kept building or garden is very well cared for and looks neat and clean: · Our old house, now covered with ivy, still looked pretty and well-kept.· Visitors should tour the palace, but don't forget the well-kept grounds -- well worth a visit.
words for describing someone who always likes to keep things tidy someone who is neat or tidy always like to keep things in their right place: · I've never been very neat but my husband is just the opposite.· Malcolm's always been tidy, even as a kid.
British someone, especially a woman, who is houseproud wants their home to always look extremely clean and tidy, and spends a lot of time keeping it like this: · She has a reputation for being very houseproud.· Elaine's houseproud ways got on his nerves, but it was better than living alone.
American spoken someone who always wants their things and their house to be very neat and clean, in a way that other people find annoying: · Melissa is a neat freak and Doug is kind of a slob, so the two of them are always fighting.
wearing good clothes and looking tidy wearing good or expensive clothes: · The photograph showed a well-dressed man in his early 50s.· The young woman with the children looked too well-dressed to be a nanny.· He walked into the party with a beautiful well-dressed blonde on his arm.
British if you look smart or your clothes are smart , you are dressed in an attractive way and you look very tidy: · The editor was slim, smart and dark-haired.· You look really smart today, Chris. Have you got a job interview?· The waitresses were the smartest ones I'd ever seen.· That's a smart suit, Sam.
If you look neat or if you have neat clothes, the clothes you are wearing are clean, ironed, and fit you properly: · She had been waiting there all night, but she still looked neat.· A man in a neat gray suit sat on the other side of the bar.neat and clean: · They didn't have much money, but the children were always neat and clean.
well-dressed enough for meeting people, socially or in your job: · We don't have to wear suits for work, but we do have to look presentable.· Arnold was a very presentable young fellow.
someone who is well-groomed has clean, neat hair, wears good clothes, and looks as if they have spent a lot of time and money on their appearance: · She's marrying a well-groomed successful businessman named Paul.· Ambassadors' wives are expected to look fashionable and well-groomed.
dressed in a way that shows you have good judgement about what clothes look good on you and what other people will admire: · Hey, you look sharp. Where'd you get the suit?sharp dresser: · Paula's a very sharp dresser, so I always have her go shopping with me.
a man, especially a small man, who is dapper wears neat, tidy clothes and is generally very smart in appearance: · The Captain was a dapper little man with a neat moustache and shiny shoes.· Graham walked into the restaurant, looking dapper in a grey business suit.
someone who is well turned out has taken care that their clothes and general appearance are clean and neat, for example for a special occasion: · Nico looked trim and well turned out in a new dark suit.· The principal expected everyone to be well turned out on graduation day.
informal clothes that are snazzy are bright, colourful, and attractive: · I love those snazzy little silk dresses.· There were racks and racks of snazzy swimming trunks.· Dale spun around the dance floor in a snazzy blue suit.
WORD SETSabsinth, nounalcohol, nounale, nounalehouse, nounaperitif, nounbaby milk, nounbar, nounbarfly, nounbarhop, verbbarkeeper, nounbarley wine, nounbarmaid, nounbarman, nounbartender, nounbeef tea, nounbeer, nounbenedictine, nounbeverage, nounbibulous, adjectivebistro, nounbitter, nounblack, adjectivebootleg, verbbooze, nounboozer, nounbooze-up, nounboozing, nounboozy, adjectivebottle, verbbouquet, nounbourbon, nounbrandy, nounbreathe, verbbrew, verbbrew, nounbrewer, nounbrewery, nounbroach, verbBuck's Fizz, nounburgundy, nounbuttermilk, nouncamomile, nouncappuccino, nouncarbonated, adjectivecask, nouncellar, nounchalice, nounchampagne, nounchampers, nounchar, nounchartreuse, nounchaser, nounChelsea bun, nounchocolate, nouncider, nounclaret, nounclub soda, nouncoaster, nounCoca-Cola, cocktail, nouncocktail lounge, nouncocktail shaker, nouncocktail stick, nouncocktail waitress, nouncocoa, nouncoffee, nouncoffee bar, nouncoffee bean, nouncoffee machine, nouncoffeemaker, nouncoffee mill, nouncognac, nouncola, nounconsommé, nouncordial, nouncork, nouncork, verbcorkage, nouncorked, adjectivecorkscrew, nouncorn whiskey, nouncrème de menthe, nouncup, nouncuppa, nouncuraçao, noundaiquiri, noundecaf, noundecaffeinated, adjectivedecanter, noundessert wine, noundipsomaniac, noundissipated, adjectivedissipation, noundissolute, adjectivedistiller, noundistillery, noundram, noundraught, noundregs, noundried milk, noundrink, verbdrink, noundrinkable, adjectivedrinking fountain, noundrinking-up time, noundrinking water, noundrinks machine, noundrinks party, noundrop, noundry, adjectiveDutch courage, nounespresso, nounethyl alcohol, nounferment, verbfinger, nounfizz, nounflat, adjectivefloat, nounfortified wine, nounfroth, nounfroth, verbfrothy, adjectivefull-cream, adjectiveGandT, noungassy, adjectivegin, noungin and tonic, nounginger ale, nounginger beer, nounglass, noungreen tea, noungrenadine, noungrog, noungumbo, nounhalf, nounhalf-and-half, nounhangover, nounhappy hour, nounhead, nounhighball, nounhip flask, nounhock, nounhogshead, nounhome brew, nounhooch, nounhot chocolate, nounice bucket, nounice cube, nounice water, nouninfuse, verbinfusion, nounintoxicant, nounintoxicating, adjectiveIrish coffee, nounjar, nounjigger, nounjuice, nounkeg, nounkirsch, nounlace, verblager, nounlandlord, nounlemon, nounlemonade, nounlicensed, adjectivelicensing laws, nounlight, adjectivelight ale, nounlimeade, nounliqueur, nounliquor, nounlite, adjectivelocal, nounlounge bar, nounMadeira, nounmagnum, nounmalt, nounmalted, nounmalt liquor, nounmaraschino, nounmargarita, nounMartini, nounmash, nounmature, adjectivemature, verbmead, nounmeasure, nounmellow, verbmilk, nounmilk shake, nounmilky, adjectivemineral water, nounmint julep, nounmix, verbmixer, nounmocha, nounmoonshine, nounmulled wine, nounneat, adjectivenectar, nounnightcap, nounnip, nounnoggin, nounnon-alcoholic, adjectiveoff-licence, nounopen bar, nounorangeade, nounouzo, nounpale ale, nounparalytic, adjectivepasteurized, adjectivepercolate, verbperk, verbperry, nounpick-me-up, nounpiña colada, nounpink gin, nounpint, nounplonk, nounpop, nounport, nounporter, nounprohibitionist, nounproof, nounpunch, nounquaff, verbrake, nounrat-arsed, adjectivered, nounrefill, nounrefreshment, nounretsina, nounring-pull, nounroot beer, nounrosé, nounrotgut, nounrum, nounrye, nounsake, nounsaloon, nounsangria, nounsarsaparilla, nounschnapps, nounScotch, nounscrewdriver, nounscrumpy, nounsediment, nounsemi-skimmed milk, nounshake, nounshaker, nounshandy, nounshebeen, nounsherry, nounshort, nounshot, nounsiphon, nounsix-pack, nounskimmed milk, nounslimline, adjectivesloe gin, nounslug, nounslush, nounsnifter, nounsoda, nounsoda siphon, nounsoda water, nounsoft drink, nounsparkling, adjectivespeakeasy, nounspike, verbspirit, nounsplash, nounspritzer, nounsquash, nounstein, nounstewed, adjectivestill, adjectivestill, nounstout, nounstraight, adjectivestraw, nounsundowner, nounsup, verbswig, verbswill, verbswizzle stick, nountab, nountable wine, nountall, adjectivetankard, nountavern, nountea, nounteabag, nounteahouse, nountea leaves, nountearoom, nountea shop, nountea urn, nountemperance, nountequila, nountied house, nountippler, nountoddy, nountonic, nountop-up, nountot, nounTurkish coffee, nountwo-percent milk, nounUHT milk, noununcork, verbvermouth, nounvintage, adjectivevintage, nounvintner, nounvodka, nounwater, verbwatering hole, nounweak, adjectivewet bar, nounwhisky, nounwhite, adjectivewine cooler, nounwrecked, adjectiveyeast, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY His clothes were always neat and clean. Everything in the house was neat and tidy. She arranged the books in a nice neat pile.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The England keeper revealed some fancy footwork in the victory over Nottingham Forest. Ellen’s room is always neat and tidy.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
1tidy tidy and carefully arranged: His clothes were always neat and clean. Everything in the house was neat and tidy. She arranged the books in a nice neat pile. especially AmE:· Her kids were always neat and clean.
The England keeper revealed some fancy footwork in the victory over Nottingham Forest.· Your handwriting is much neater than mine.
· Yu Yin has tiny handwriting.
(=simple and clever)· This sounded like a neat solution to the skills shortage.
Ellen’s room is always neat and tidy.· First wrap your parcels securely in the chosen paper, ensuring that all the folds and flaps are as neat as possible.· Wasn't it just as neat and unlikely to blame the parents as it was to talk about possession by devils?· She was not quite as neat as she used to be.· The priests who'd officiated at Por Tanssie had been as neat as soldiers.· Ivy covered and as neat and quiet as a convent.· The dead lay inside this fortified enclosure in rows as neat as those in the Martins' kitchen-garden.· I try and eat the rest of the doughnut as neat as I can but I end up all sugary and sticky.
· And he can do all kinds of really neat magic.· At first he thought it was really neat that Marty was paying my rent.· And one of the New Zealand guys thought it would be really neat to nick the guy's gun.· And they all think that creating the future is really neat.· It's really neat I reckon - like that picture of the man in that rowing boat.
· It was so neat and we had a good time.· Clean architectural lines, gleaming glass, flower beds so neat and regimented that no weed would dare to seed itself.· She was so neat and quick in all her movements, and Matey had made her careful.· And the way it was delivered to him, so neat, so innocent-seeming a package.
· Perhaps the idea was too neat.· The boxes at either end were all too neat and snug.· So don't go looking too neat.· This is very neat - perhaps too neat.· The whole operation sounds too neat to be true - but it seems to be working at least as well as other last-ditch cancer treatments.· All this stuff about polyneuritis was handy, thought Henry, but perhaps a little too neat.· I felt out of proportion with a short bob and, although striking, it was too neat and tidy for me.
· He was about fifty-five, short, sturdy, and very neat.· The trees were very neat and orderly.· This band is very neat and really does give a garment a professional finish.· I was not doing a very neat job with her lining, but she said nothing about it.· All very neat and orderly, it seems.· This is very neat - perhaps too neat.· And now, thanks to a very neat bit of deduction, you know.· The Palisade units produced by Forest Fencing are individually machine turned to give a very neat appearance.
NOUN· It included, for example, a neat pile of bullets, the artist being flown in to do the piling.· I picked up the neat pile of clothing and placed it on the chair near the stove.· Wrapped in copious instruction leaflets and next to a neat pile of syringes, formidable quantities of snakebite serum had thoughtfully been provided.· I tried the next drawer, which was filled with neat piles of nylon underpants in a quite large old-lady style.· The room has remained untouched, its files and papers in the same neat piles the actor had left them in.· I wanted to pick up the neat pile of paper lying on the bed and fling it into the air.· A long, rather stark couch held neat piles of clean kandoras and white head scarves which were laid there daily.· Her eyes fell to the open fireplace, the large, gaping grate with its neat pile of sawn logs.
· No doubt they would return and place him with the other Commando dead in neat rows in front of the Chateau to await burial.· Flanking a canal, it was enclosed by a bamboo fence, and neat rows of thatched-roof huts had been laid out.· Books and papers in neat rows and piles crammed all the available space between floor and ceiling.· Tracer rounds corkscrewed through the glare, and people were dying in long neat rows.· Expensive cars parked in neat rows that the staff had reserved for them.· The teacher kindly explains, with rules and exceptions marked off in neat rows and columns on the blackboard.· Then they were sat down in neat rows, boys on one side and girls on the other.· Tables are set up side by side, in neat rows on the massive floor of the Phoenix Civic Plaza.
· It was a neat trick, but it never seemed to fit the open-faced characters he played.· Dole has to go negative without seeming negative, a neat trick.· He must both get into the fray and seem above it, another neat trick.· That was a neat trick all right.
· Perhaps the neatest way of expressing the distinction is to contrast unilateral and cooperative procedures.· However, a neat way of operating the bridge was devised by Robinson.· Using the Power Station is the safest and neatest way to distribute the power to all the other units here.
neat handwriting His clothes were always neat and clean. Everything in the house was neat and tidy. She arranged the books in a nice neat pile.► see thesaurus at tidy2liking things tidy someone who is neat likes to keep things tidy: I’ve always been quite neat.3good American English spoken very good, pleasant, or enjoyable: That’s a really neat idea. I liked working for him – he was a neat guy.► see thesaurus at good4small something that is neat is small and attractive: her small, neat features5clever formal a neat way of doing or saying something is simple but clever and effective: In the end we found a very neat solution to the problem. a neat summary of the main issues6drinks especially British English a neat alcoholic drink has no ice or water or any other liquid added SYN straight: I can’t drink brandy neat. drinking neat whisky—neatly adverb: He wrote his name neatly at the bottom of the page. The problem was neatly summed up by one of the teachers.—neatness noun [uncountable]