neaten

American  

[neet-n] / ˈnit n /

verb (used with object)

1. to make neat.

   a day spent neatening the kitchen shelves.

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neaten British  

/ ˈniːtən /

verb

1. (tr) to make neat; tidy

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Etymology

Origin of neaten

First recorded in 1895–1900; neat ¹ + -en ¹

Explanation

To neaten is to tidy up or to clean. You can neaten your room by making your bed and throwing your dirty clothes in the laundry basket. When you turn disorder into order, you neaten. You might neaten your car by throwing away the accumulated soda cans and brushing crumbs off the seats, or neaten your outfit by straightening your tie and tucking in your shirt. Neaten comes from neat, "tidy or clean," from the Middle French net, "clear or pure." The root is the Latin nitere, "to shine."

Example Sentences

In the company’s classic Franco Zeffirelli production, after Rodolfo calls out to ask who’s at the door and a woman’s voice answers, he rushes over to a mirror to neaten his hair.

From New York Times • Jan. 10, 2020

Over 24 hours, I watched pundits and advocates try to neaten this case up, with conclusions that might wrangle the story back into something more orderly.

From Washington Post • Aug. 21, 2018

I would neaten myself up and tell them I could work whatever hours they wanted.

From The Guardian • Feb. 27, 2013

They fundamentally try to neaten things up and make it look more rational than it is.

From Salon • Oct. 6, 2012

I balance the tray in one hand and sweep up the spoon, taking a moment to neaten the crockery before approaching the door.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir