adjective / verb
tidy
Neat and orderly, or to make something neat.
She keeps her desk tidy by putting everything back after work.
Etymology
Tidy first concerned being timely, suitable, or in good condition. Its meaning developed toward being properly arranged and neat.
More examples
- Please tidy the kitchen before our guests arrive.
- He stacks the towels in a tidy pile.
- We tidy up after dinner every night.
Forms
tidy · tidier · tidiest · tidies · tidied · tidying
tidiness noun — The state of being neat and orderly.
tidily adverb — In a neat and orderly way.
Similar words
- neat
- Emphasizes a pleasing appearance, not just things being put away.
- orderly
- Emphasizes systematic arrangement rather than a neat appearance.
- straighten
- As a verb, emphasizes putting misplaced things back in order.