Neat
/niːt/
Meaning & Definition
noun
A neat (often an animal such as a cow or sheep).
The farmer raised neat and cows for milk production.
verb
To make neat; to tidy up.
She spent the afternoon neating her room before guests arrived.
adjective
Tidy and in order; well-organized.
She keeps her desk very neat, with all the papers aligned perfectly.
Clear and skillful; clever.
He had a neat solution to the tricky math problem.
Not diluted; pure.
He prefers to drink his whiskey neat, without any mixers.
Satisfactory; good.
That was a neat trick you performed at the party!
Etymology
Middle English 'nete', from Old French 'nete', from Latin 'nitidus' (shining).
Common Phrases and Expressions
neat as a pin
Perfectly clean or tidy.
neat freak
A person who is compulsively tidy.
neat and clean
Orderly and well-maintained.
Related Words
tidy
Arranged neatly and in order.
organized
Arranged in a systematic way.
clean
Free from dirt or unwanted marks.
Slang Meanings
Cool or impressive.
That new phone is really neat!
Excellent or well done.
You did a neat job on that presentation.