neat
gb/nˈit/ us/nˈit/
A2
English
~ 4400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
tidy and orderly
Clean and arranged in an orderly way.
Usage pattern:
[something] is neat
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'neat' with 'clean'. Something can be clean but not neatly arranged.
Synonyms
tidy (Very close in meaning but often used more for general cleanliness than precise arrangement.)
Antonyms
messy (Refers to being untidy or disorganized, the opposite of neat.)
Collocations
neat desk
|neat handwriting
|keep neat
|look neat
|neat appearance
Themes
daily life
|appearance
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her desk is always neat and free of clutter.
- He folded his clothes into neat piles.
- The garden was neat and well-maintained.
- She kept her notes in a neat binder.
Learner examples
- My room is neat.
- He has neat hair.
- The table is neat.
- I like a neat kitchen.
adjective
informal
B1
property
2
very good or cool
Used to say something is good or cool.
Usage pattern:
[something] is neat
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use this informal sense in formal writing, where it can seem out of place.
Synonyms
cool (Common informal term for something impressive or appealing.)
Antonyms
lame (Informal term for something boring or unimpressive.)
Collocations
neat idea
|neat trick
|neat solution
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- That's a neat trick you showed me.
- Your new phone is really neat!
- It was a neat idea to combine the two events.
Learner examples
- This game is neat.
- That is a neat car.
- Your plan is neat.
adjective
B2
property
3
undiluted, pure (drink)
Alcohol served without water, ice, or other liquids.
Usage pattern:
[drink] neat
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'neat' here with 'clean', but in drinks it means undiluted.
Synonyms
straight (Commonly used for undiluted alcoholic drinks.)
Antonyms
mixed (Refers to drinks combined with other liquids or ingredients.)
Collocations
whiskey neat
|served neat
Themes
food and drink
|food_drink
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He ordered a whiskey neat.
- I prefer my bourbon neat, without ice.
- She poured herself a brandy neat.
Learner examples
- He drinks whiskey neat.
- I like my rum neat.
- She ordered vodka neat.
adjective
B2
property
4
simple and clever design
Simple but smart and works well.
Usage pattern:
[something] is neat
Synonyms
elegant (Often used for solutions or designs that are both simple and effective.)
Antonyms
clumsy (Inefficient or awkward in execution or design.)
Collocations
neat solution
|neat design
Themes
design
|problem solving
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The engineer came up with a neat solution to the problem.
- It's a neat little gadget that saves time.
- Her handwriting has a neat, artistic style.
Learner examples
- This is a neat plan.
- He made a neat tool.
- The design is neat.
Grammar
Dictionary form
neat
IPA
GB/nˈit/
US/nˈit/
Syllables & stress
neat (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (neat)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: neat
- Comparative: neater
- Superlative: neatest
Word family
Expressions
keep it neat
1/kˈip ˈɪt nˈit/
fixed phrase
maintain tidiness or orderliness
Make sure something stays clean and orderly.
Examples
- Please keep it neat after you finish using it.
- The teacher asked the students to keep their desks neat.
look neat
1/lˈʊk nˈit/
fixed phrase
appear tidy and orderly
To look clean and well arranged.
Examples
- You look very neat today for the interview.
- His writing looks neat on the page.
neat and tidy
1/nˈit ˈænd tˈaɪdi/
fixed phrase
orderly and clean appearance
Clean and well arranged.
Examples
- Her bedroom was always neat and tidy.
- We like to keep the office neat and tidy.