tidy
TEYE-dee
Tidy (adj) means Neatly arranged; not messy or cluttered. Example: “She keeps her desk perfectly tidy.”
adj
1
Neatly arranged; not messy or cluttered.
"She keeps her desk perfectly tidy."
"Please make sure your room is tidy before your grandparents arrive."
2
Fairly large or considerable, especially referring to a sum of money.
"He made a tidy profit selling the old furniture."
verb
1
To make something neat and organized.
"Can you tidy up the kitchen before dinner?"
"They spent the afternoon tidying the garden."
How to use tidy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNeat and well-organized, or, informally, a decent-sized amount (especially of money).
Common pairings
tidy up
a tidy sum
keep it tidy
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Word forms
- Plural
- tidies
- Third person singular
- tidies
- Past tense
- tidied
- Comparative
- tidier
- Superlative
- tidiest
Fill the gap
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She keeps her desk perfectly _____.
Etymology
From Middle English tidy, originally meaning "timely" or "seasonable," from "tide" (time) plus "-y." The meaning shifted over centuries from "in good time" to "neat and orderly."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for tidy
See all rhymes for tidy →Frequently asked questions
What does “tidy” mean?
The word “tidy” means neatly arranged; not messy or cluttered. In plain terms, neat and well-organized, or, informally, a decent-sized amount (especially of money).
How do you pronounce “tidy”?
“Tidy” is pronounced TEYE-dee (/ˈtaɪ.di/ in IPA).
How do you use “tidy” in a sentence?
Here is “tidy” used in a sentence: “She keeps her desk perfectly tidy.”
What is another word for “tidy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tidy” include orderly, presentable, spick and span, clean, seasonable and fit.
What is the opposite of “tidy”?
The opposite of “tidy” — its antonyms — are messy, untidy and slipshod.
What part of speech is “tidy”?
Depending on how it is used, “tidy” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “tidy” come from?
The word “tidy” comes from Middle English. From Middle English tidy, originally meaning "timely" or "seasonable," from "tide" (time) plus "-y." The meaning shifted over centuries from "in good time" to "neat and orderly.".
Is “tidy” a common word?
“Tidy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
