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)

tidied, tidying

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

noun

plural

tidies

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

• tidily adverb
• tidiness noun

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

Example Sentences

The Londoner, 62, told the BBC the bed would be "ridiculousy tidy" if she made it again today, and the sheets would have a "1600 thread count" - a mark of high quality.

From BBC

That’s a tidy sum for you and your wife to enjoy, especially given your investment income.

From MarketWatch

Gather your mac and cheese, your spanakopita triangles, your dumplings, your roasted vegetables in tidy bags.

From Salon

I make a mental note to tidy up before we leave.

From Literature

The movie ultimately departs from the book’s conclusion, avoiding Mr. Mars-Jones’s tragic streak in favor of a turn that feels a little neat, the film slotted into its niche with a note of tidy wholesomeness.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• orderly
• sleek
• snug
• well-kept