First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1tidy
adjective ti·dy \ˈtī-dē\
: clean and organized : not messy
: keeping things clean and organized
of an amount of money : fairly large
ti·di·erti·di·est
Full Definition of TIDY
1
: properly filled out : plump
2
: adequately satisfactory : acceptable, fair <a tidy solution to their problem>
3
a : neat and orderly in appearance or habits : well ordered and cared for b : methodical, precise <a tidy mind>
See tidy defined for English-language learners
See tidy defined for kids
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Origin of TIDY
Middle English, timely, in good condition, from tide time
Related to TIDY
- Synonyms
- antiseptic, bandbox, crisp, groomed, kempt, orderly, picked up, prim, shipshape, smug, snug, tidied, neat, trig, trim, uncluttered, well-groomed
- Antonyms
- disheveled (or dishevelled), disordered, disorderly, messy, mussed, mussy, sloven, slovenly, unkempt, untidy
Rhymes with TIDY
2tidy
verb
: to make (something) tidy : to make (something) clean and organized
ti·diedti·dy·ing
Full Definition of TIDY
transitive verb
: to put in order <tidy up a room>
intransitive verb
: to make things tidy <tidying up after supper>
— ti·di·er noun
See tidy defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TIDY
1821
3tidy
noun
: a container for storing small items
plural tidies
Full Definition of TIDY
1
: a usually compartmentalized receptacle for various small objects
2
: a piece of fancywork used to protect the back, arms, or headrest of a chair or sofa from wear or soil
See tidy defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TIDY
circa 1828
TIDIED Defined for Kids
1tidy
adjective ti·dy \ˈtī-dē\
ti·di·erti·di·est
Definition of TIDY for Kids
1
: well ordered and cared for : neat
Word History of TIDY
The English word tidy comes from the word tide. Tide first meant “time,” and tidy first meant “timely, at the proper time.” Soon tidy came to mean “in good condition.” The current meaning “neat” developed from this sense.
2tidy
verb
ti·diedti·dy·ing
Definition of TIDY for Kids
: to make things neat
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