First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1neat
noun \ˈnēt\
plural neat or neats
Definition of NEAT
: the common domestic bovine (Bos taurus)
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Origin of NEAT
Middle English neet, from Old English nēat; akin to Old High German nōz head of cattle, Old English nēotan to make use of, Lithuanian nauda use
2neat
adjective
: not messy : clean and orderly
: liking to keep things very clean and orderly
: simple and clever
Full Definition of NEAT
1
: free from dirt and disorder : habitually clean and orderly
2
3
: marked by tasteful simplicity <a neat outfit>
4
a : precise, systematic b : marked by skill or ingenuity : adroit
5
: net <neat profit>
See neat defined for English-language learners
See neat defined for kids
Origin of NEAT
Middle French net, from Latin nitidus bright, neat, from nitēre to shine; probably akin to Middle Irish níam luster
First Known Use: 15th century
Related to NEAT
- Synonyms
- antiseptic, bandbox, crisp, groomed, kempt, orderly, picked up, prim, shipshape, smug, snug, tidied, tidy, trig, trim, uncluttered, well-groomed
- Antonyms
- disheveled (or dishevelled), disordered, disorderly, messy, mussed, mussy, sloven, slovenly, unkempt, untidy
3neat
adverb
Definition of NEAT
1
: in a neat manner <his hair combed back neat — J. M. Cain>
2
: without admixture or dilution : straight
First Known Use of NEAT
circa 1578
NEAT[1] Defined for Kids
neat
adjective \ˈnēt\
neat·erneat·est
Definition of NEAT for Kids
1
: showing care and a concern for order <a neat room>
2
: skillful in a fascinating or entertaining way <a neat trick>
— neat·ly adverb
— neat·ness noun
Word History of NEAT
The English word neat can be traced back to a Latin adjective nitidus that meant “shining,” “bright,” or “clear.” The French word net that came from this Latin word had the same meanings and came into English as neat. English neat at first meant “bright” or “clean.” Later it was used to mean “simple and in good taste,” “skillful,” and “tidy.”
Synonym Discussion of NEAT
neat, tidy, and trim mean showing care and a concern for order. neat is used when something is clean in addition to being orderly. <Your clothes should always be neat.> tidy is used for something that is continually kept orderly and neat. <I work hard to keep my room tidy.> trim is used when something is orderly and compact. <They live in trim, comfortable houses.>
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