neat Hear it!

neat¹ Definition

neat (nēt)

adjective

  1. unmixed with anything; undiluted; straight: said esp. of liquor drunk without a mixer or chaser
  2. Rare free of deductions; net
    1. clean and in good order; trim; tidy
    2. characterized by tidiness, skill, and precision a neat worker
    3. without anything superfluous; simple
  3. well-proportioned; shapely
  4. cleverly or smartly phrased or done
  5. Slang nice, pleasing, fine, etc.: a generalized term of approval

Etymology: Fr net < L nitidus, shining, elegant, smart, trim < nitere, to shine < IE base *nei-, to be active, shine > MIr nīam, luster, beauty

neat¹ Related Forms
neatly adverb neat·ness noun
neat² Definition

neat (nēt)

noun pl. neat

Now Rare a bovine animal; ox, cow, etc.

Etymology: 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

neat Synonyms

neat

modif.

  1. Clean and orderly

    clean, tidy, trim, prim, spruce, natty, dapper, smart, correct, shipshape, methodical, regular, orderly, systematic, spotless, finical, nice, dainty, elegant, well kept, spick-and-span, immaculate, meticulous, trig, chic, well-groomed, exact, precise, proper, neat as a pin, in good order, spruced up, put to right; see also clean 1.

    Antonyms unkempt, disordered*, slovenly.

  2. Clever; said of something done

    dexterous, deft, skillful, expert, proficient, handy, apt, ready, quick, artful, nimble, agile, adept, speedy, finished, practiced, easy, effortless; see also able 2.

    Antonyms awkward*, clumsy, fumbling.

  3. Pure

    unadulterated, unmixed, unalloyed; see clear 2, pure 1.

  4. *Nice

    pleasing, fine, great; see excellent.

neat Usage Examples

Preposition: through

  • ball: Playmaker Ephgrave angled a neat through ball for target man Hawkins, who's cool crisp finish rolled beyond the opposition stopper.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • keep: Tidy the garden: be sure that lawns are well trimmed, keep the gardens neat.

Modifies a noun

  • edifice: They have each three apartments in the hospital, which is a neat edifice at the north side of the church.
  • one-two: Puttnam played a neat one-two with Fitzpatrick and sent a wicked curler toward the top corner.
  • trick: They could also do a neat Mexican wave trick.
  • handwriting: Absolute Balderdash is a must for any family who has unlimited amounts of imagination and neat handwriting!
  • passing: After neat passing on the right-hand side of the pitch, Nick Mason had a shot which was straight at the keeper.
  • footwork: Beside singing they also danced, a bit, which gave Louise an opportunity to demonstrate her neat graceful footwork.

Modifying Another Word

  • kinda: It's kinda neat even tho ' I'm not overly fond of droughts.
  • pretty: To Do: Buy storage box for garden Well I think they're pretty neat.
  • rather: Also included is a rather neat guide to Digital Video editing in general by Douglas Spotted Eagle.
  • really: Now comes a really neat part of the program.
  • very: Very neat, slim fit for a shaped diaper.
  • quite: There is a DVD creator so if you are into editing video you can create quite neat DVD menu's very fast.

Infinitive complement

  • see: And isn't it neat to see how music can be such a strong influence?

Used with adjective complement

  • look: I'd never tried to make things look neat; I just wanted them to work.
  • apply: Minor burns: Put the affected area under the cold tap for five minutes then apply neat Tea Tree Oil to the burn.
  • sound: Even tho it is pretty easy to play, it sounds real neat.
  • produce: Use only printers that produce neat, readable text with no stray marks or smudges.
  • use: It can also be used neat on stubborn stains.
neat Quotes

As thin and neat as a furled umbrella.

—Emery,Jane

Iwasneat, clean, shaved and sober, and Ididn'tcare who knew it.

—Chandler, Raymond

Still to be neat, still to be drest, As you were going to a feast; Still to be powdered, still perfumed, Lady, it is to be presumed, Though art's hid causes are not found, All is not sweet, all is not sound. Give me a look, give me a face, That makes simplicity a grace; Robes loosely flowing, hair as free: Such sweet neglect more taketh me, Than all the adulteries of art; They strike mine eyes, but not my heart.

—Jonson, Ben

Any old iron, any old iron, Anyany old old iron? You look neat Talk about a treat, You look dapper from your napper to your feet. Dressed in style, brand new tile, And your father's old green tie on, But I wouldn't give you tuppence for your old watch chain; Old iron, old iron?

—Collins, Charles

Browse dictionary entries near neat

  1. nearsightedness
  2. nearsighted
  3. nearness
  4. nearly
  5. nearing
  6. nearest
  7. nearer
  8. Nearctic
  9. nearby month
  10. nearby contracts
  1. neat's-foot oil
  2. neaten
  3. 'neath
  4. neatherd
  5. neatly
  6. neatness
  7. neb
  8. nebbish
  9. NEbE
  10. Nebiim