tidy

American  

[tahy-dee] / ˈtaɪ di /

adjective

tidier, tidiest

1. neat, orderly, or trim, as in appearance or dress.

   a tidy room;

   a tidy person.

   Antonyms:

   sloppy, messy

2. clearly organized and systematic.

   a tidy mind;

   a tidy way of working.

3. tolerably good; acceptable.

   They worked out a tidy arrangement agreeable to all.

4. fairly large; considerable.

   a tidy sum.

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verb (used with or without object)

tidies, present (3rd person singular) tidied, past participle, past tidying present participle

1. to make tidy or neat (often followed byup ).

noun

tidies plural

1. any of various articles for keeping things tidy, as a box having small drawers and compartments.

2. an antimacassar.

tidy British  

/ ˈtaɪdɪ /

adjective

1. characterized by or indicating neatness and order

2. informal considerable

   a tidy sum of money

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verb

1. to put (things) in order; neaten

noun

1. 1. a small container in which odds and ends are kept

   2. a container with holes in the bottom, kept in the sink to retain rubbish that might clog the plug hole

2. an ornamental protective covering for the back or arms of a chair

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• tidiness
  noun
• tidily
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• tidies
  plural

Adjectives

• tidier
  comparative
• tidiest
  superlative

Participles

• tidying
  present
• tidied
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• tidy
  simple
• tidies
  simple
• have tidied
  perfect
• has tidied
  perfect
• am tidying
  progressive
• are tidying
  progressive
• is tidying
  progressive
• have been tidying
  perfect progressive
• has been tidying
  perfect progressive

Past

• tidied
  simple
• had tidied
  perfect
• was tidying
  progressive
• were tidying
  progressive
• had been tidying
  perfect progressive

Future

• will tidy
  simple
• will have tidied
  perfect
• will be tidying
  progressive
• will have been tidying
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of tidy

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English tidi, tidy “seasonable,” hence “good”; cognate with Dutch tijdig; equivalent to tide ¹ + -y ¹

Explanation

Use the adjective tidy for something that is neat and clean. If your desk were more tidy, you would be able to find your computer. Tidy (or tidy up) also means “to clean up” and is also a noun for a container for small objects, like scraps or sewing materials. These senses of tidy have a formal or even old-fashioned note. (We’re more likely to say clean, organize, or bin now in everyday conversation.) Tidy is also an informal adjective meaning "large or considerable." If you can put the word tidy before your profit or the sum in your bank account, it’s a good thing.

Example Sentences

The Welsh government said it remained committed to introducing a deposit return scheme, while the charity Keep Wales Tidy criticised "misinformation" about the plans.

From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026

Tidy narratives don’t match the gray messiness of divorce.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026

Jo Golley from Keep Wales Tidy said there were "horrific" scenes, including mounds of rubbish at Barry Island and Porthcawl beaches during the heatwave this week.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

In Newham, east London, research carried out with the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy found the approach reduced fly-tipping significantly at some targeted sites.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

“All you can think about is food. That's it. All you discuss. Tidy up your burrow, why don't you?” came a third.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• orderly
• sleek
• snug
• well-kept