tidy

[ tahy-dee ]

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.

verb (used with or without object)

tidied, tidying.

1. to make tidy or neat (often followed by up ).

noun

plural tidies.

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

tidy

/ ˈtaɪdɪ /

adjective

1. characterized by or indicating neatness and order
2. informal.
   considerable

   a tidy sum of money

verb

1. whenintr, usually foll by up 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

Derived Forms

• ˈtidiness, noun
• ˈtidily, adverb

Other Words From

• tidi·ly adverb
• tidi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tidy¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tidy¹

C13 (in the sense: timely, seasonable, excellent): from tide ¹+ -y ¹; related to Dutch tijdig timely

Example Sentences

The licence specified the tenant was to keep the building in a "clean and tidy condition", "not commit any waste" and make "no alterations to the fabric".

From BBC

The damaged items were subsequently cleaned up and the area was respectfully tidied, GMP said.

From BBC

It is a tidy date to start, but it looks like time wasted.

From BBC

"The better I get it neat and tidy, the better I cope - not just with my disability, but also the mental illness and the abuse that underlies it."

From BBC

They tidied up a small camp, spotted ash from a few fires and checked to see whether vigilantes shot holes in water barrels.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• orderly
• sleek
• snug
• well-kept