neat

Neat is defined as someone or something that is tidy, well-formed or well-done.

(adjective)

  1. A room where everything is put away is an example of a neat room.
  2. A person who always has clean clothes and who is always well-groomed is an example of a neat person.
  3. A perfectly drawn straight line is an example of a neat line.
  4. A really cool new painting is an example of a neat painting.

The definition of neat is something considered cool or awesome.

(adjective)

An example of something neat is a well-planned and well-executed project.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See neat in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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

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

Related Forms:

noun pl. neat

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

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

See neat in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective neat·er, neat·est
  1. Orderly and clean; tidy.
  2. Orderly and precise in procedure; systematic.
  3. Marked by ingenuity and skill; adroit: a neat turn of phrase.
  4. Not diluted or mixed with other substances: neat whiskey.
  5. Left after all deductions; net: neat profit.
  6. Slang Wonderful; terrific: That was a neat party.

Origin:

Origin: Anglo-Norman neit, clear, pure

Origin: , variant of Old French net

Origin: , from Latin nitidus, elegant, gleaming

Origin: , from nitēre, to shine

.

Related Forms:

  • neatˈly adverb
  • neatˈness noun

noun pl. neat neat
Archaic
A cow or other domestic bovine animal.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English net

Origin: , from Old English nēat

.

Learn more about neat

neat

link/cite print suggestion box