neat
/niːt/ (bre, ipa) · [nˈit] /niːt/ (ame, ipa) · [nˈit] /ˈnēt/ (ame, mw)
neat — adjective
- neatpositive
- neatercomparative
- neatestsuperlative
1. clean and well arranged, with things where they should be.
clean and well arranged, with things where they should be.
Yumi's bedroom stayed neat even during the busy week before exams.
be + neat for a room or space
Theo stacked the lunch boxes in neat rows on the kitchen shelf.
neat + rows
After the cleaner left, the office looked neat and ready for Monday morning.
Jessica kept her notes neat by writing one idea on each line.
文法句型
neat + noun
be + neat
keep + noun + neat
用法筆記
Common for rooms, desks, handwriting, and similar things that look orderly. Distinguish from sense 2, which describes a person's habit rather than the state of an object or place.
常見錯誤
2. liking to keep yourself and the space around you carefully arranged and clean.
liking to keep yourself and the space around you carefully arranged and clean.
Padma is so neat that she folds every shopping bag before storing it.
be + neat for a person's habit
Brian stayed neat on the camping trip and washed his cup after every meal.
Amelia was a neat child who lined her pencils up by colour.
Walid looks neat at work because he checks his shirt and shoes each morning.
- tidy
common everyday word for a person who likes order
- orderly
a little more formal; suggests consistent habits
- fastidious
formal; stresses being very careful about details and cleanliness
文法句型
be + neat
a neat + person/child
stay + neat
用法筆記
Focuses on a regular personal habit, not just one clean result. Distinguish from sense 1: a desk can be neat even if the person is not usually neat.
常見錯誤
3. good or pleasing in a way that makes you react positively.
good or pleasing in a way that makes you react positively.
That is a neat idea for keeping wet shoes by the back door.
a neat + idea
Nora showed us a neat trick for opening jars with a rubber band.
a neat + trick
The museum's new app is neat and easy to use on the bus.
The science show was neat, especially when the paper rocket flew across the hall.
文法句型
be + neat
a neat + idea/trick
用法筆記
Mainly conversational and often used to show friendly approval. Distinguish from sense 5, where 'neat' praises how cleverly something is done rather than simply saying you like it.
常見錯誤
4. served or drunk with nothing else added, especially no water, ice, or another dr
served or drunk with nothing else added, especially no water, ice, or another drink.
Rafael drinks his whisky neat after dinner instead of adding ice.
drink + alcohol + neat
The bartender served the brandy neat in a small glass beside the fire.
serve + alcohol + neat
Chiara ordered tequila neat because she wanted to taste the full flavour.
At the tasting class, each guest tried the rum neat before mixing a cocktail.
文法句型
drink + [alcohol] + neat
serve + [alcohol] + neat
order + [alcohol] + neat
用法筆記
Used almost only with strong alcoholic drinks. Distinguish from adverb 2: this sense describes the drink itself, while adverb 2 describes the way someone drinks it.
常見錯誤
5. showing skill through a simple, effective idea, action, or result.
showing skill through a simple, effective idea, action, or result.
Christopher came up with a neat way to stop the drawer from sliding open.
a neat way to + verb
Layla's neat summary turned three pages of notes into one clear chart.
a neat + summary
The engineer made a neat repair using only tape and a short wire.
Eli found a neat solution, since one hook held both coats and umbrellas.
文法句型
a neat + solution/idea
be + neat
用法筆記
Often praises how efficiently something is done with very little effort or material. Distinguish from sense 3: sense 3 is a broad reaction of approval, while this sense specifically highlights smart execution.
常見錯誤
6. small and pleasing in shape or style, with a simple attractive look.
small and pleasing in shape or style, with a simple attractive look.
Joshua and Lisa rented a neat cottage with blue shutters near the harbour.
a neat + cottage
Evelyn wore a neat silver watch that matched her school uniform.
a neat + object
The baker tied the box with a neat bow before handing it to Amelia.
From the hill, we could see a neat village beside the river.
文法句型
a neat + little + noun
a neat + noun
用法筆記
Often appears before small physical objects, buildings, or details that look pleasing without being showy. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about attractive shape or style, not tidiness.
常見錯誤
neat — adverb
1. in an orderly and tidy way.
in an orderly and tidy way.
Please stack the chairs neat against the wall before the parents arrive.
stack + noun + neat
Mauricio folded the tablecloth neat and placed it back in the drawer.
fold + noun + neat
The shop assistant lined the scarves up neat by colour and size.
Before noon, the porter laid the folded towels neat on each bed.
文法句型
verb + neat
line/fold/stack + noun + neat
用法筆記
This use is marked and less common than 'neatly' in modern standard English. It survives mainly in speech after verbs like 'stack', 'fold', or 'line up'.
常見錯誤
2. with no water, ice, or other drink added.
with no water, ice, or other drink added.
Stefan always takes his gin neat when he wants to judge the flavour.
take + alcohol + neat
At home, Darius drinks bourbon neat while he listens to old jazz records.
drink + alcohol + neat
The guide advised us to taste the local plum brandy neat first.
Lisa never orders rum neat at lunch because the taste is too strong.
文法句型
drink + [alcohol] + neat
take + [alcohol] + neat
用法筆記
Most often follows verbs like 'drink', 'take', 'order', or 'taste'. Distinguish from adjective 4, which describes the drink as a thing rather than the way a person has it.
常見錯誤
neat — noun
1. cattle considered as farm animals, especially in old or historical language.
cattle considered as farm animals, especially in old or historical language.
The farmer moved his neat to higher ground before the river flooded.
move + neat
Old tax records listed thirty neat and twelve sheep on the estate.
count/list + neat
In the village market, traders sold neat beside pigs and goats.
The law once counted horses, sheep, and neat as separate property.
- cattle
the normal modern word
- bovine stock
technical farming phrase, not everyday language
文法句型
count/list + neat
move/sell + neat
用法筆記
This sense is old-fashioned and mainly appears in historical writing, law, or farming records. Modern everyday English normally uses 'cattle' instead.