tidy

tidy Definition

tidy (tī′dē)

adjective -·dier, -·di·est

neat in personal appearance, ways, etc.; orderly
neat in arrangement; in order; trim
Informal
1. fairly good; satisfactory
2. rather large; considerable a tidy sum of money

Etymology: ME tidi, seasonable, honest, hence in good condition < tide: see tide

transitive verb, intransitive verb -·died, -·dy·ing

to make (things) tidy: often with up

noun pl. -·dies

tidy Related Forms

ti′·dily adverb ti′·di·ness noun

tidy Synonyms

modif.

orderly, trim, spruce; see neat 1.

tidy Usage Examples

Object

kitchen: I started off really well; cooking food, doing the dishes and tidying the kitchen - it didn't last.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

keep: Between times the litter pickers perform a valuable service in keeping things tidy.

Modifies a noun

bundle: Our plans for little public trust a tidy bundle.
sum: However, you stand to save yourself a tidy sum.
profit: It was said that he made quite a tidy profit with the tales of his story.
desk: April 2nd, 2006 at 10:49 pm Comment by Simon Mackie There will be a prize for the tidiest desk!
appearance: Where no uniform is provided, you should be dressed smartly and be of tidy appearance; and refrain from drinking alcohol.
condition: Rubbish should be removed from the room and the room left in a clean and tidy condition for the next occupant.

Modifying Another Word

obsessively: Act like an obsessively tidy person - until you've exchanged contracts neatly fold and put away everything!
reasonably: Office areas, including personal offices, should be kept reasonably tidy.
generally: After our return we had a cup of tea and removed ribbons and flags and generally tidied the cars after the days events.

Followed by an intransitive particle

Followed by a transitive particle

up: Last bit of painting was just to tidy up the edge of the base with some GW Chaos Black.
away: On most products, lugs are provided to tidy away the flex.

Particle object:

Used with adjective complement

keep: Good order on site Plan how the site will be kept tidy.
look: I live in a rural area but the wheelie bins look quite tidy along the lanes.

Noun used with modifier

desk: Desk tidies or boxes are also available for around £ 1 each that are used to contain waste paper alongside desks.

Browse dictionary entries near tidy