tidy
/ˈtaɪdi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtaɪdi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtī-dē/ (ame, mw) · /ˈtaɪ.di/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtaɪ.di/ (ame, ipa)
tidy — 形容詞
1. with all items placed in their proper position and nothing left out of place; al
整潔的
物品擺放整齊，不凌亂
with all items placed in their proper position and nothing left out of place; also describes a person who prefers their surroundings to be well ordered
Niran's desk was neat and tidy with every book standing on its shelf.
Niran 的書桌整整齊齊，每本書都立在書架上。
collocation: neat and tidy
Jiwoo always keeps her desk tidy before leaving the office each evening.
Jiwoo 每天傍晚離開辦公室前都會把桌子整理乾淨。
The kitchen looked clean and tidy after Nala finished washing the dishes.
Nala 洗完碗盤後，廚房看起來乾淨又整齊。
Gita is a tidy person who folds her clothes and places them in drawers.
Gita 是一個愛整潔的人，她會把衣服摺好放進抽屜裡。
The librarian pushed the tidy cart of returned books toward the sorting room.
圖書館員推著放滿歸還書籍的整齊推車，走向整理室。
- neat
very similar, slightly more common in American English for describing a person's appearance or habits
- orderly
suggests systematic arrangement according to rules or logic; more formal
- organised
emphasises planning and structure rather than just appearance; also used for schedules and events
- well-kept
describes a place that is carefully maintained over time
用法筆記
Can describe both a physical space ('a tidy kitchen') and a person's nature ('a tidy person'). Frequently paired with 'neat' and 'clean' as fixed expressions.
常見錯誤
2. used to describe a sum of money that is surprisingly or impressively big
可觀的
指金額相當龐大
used to describe a sum of money that is surprisingly or impressively big
Selling the old apartment earned the Chen family a tidy profit.
賣掉舊公寓讓陳家賺了一筆可觀的利潤。
collocation: tidy profit
Christopher was surprised by the tidy sum his aunt left in her will.
Christopher 對於姑姑遺囑裡留下的一大筆錢感到驚訝。
collocation: tidy sum
The coffee shop made a tidy amount from the new breakfast menu this year.
這家咖啡店今年靠新的早餐菜單賺了不少錢。
The renovation project cost the primary school a tidy sum that surprised the board.
翻修工程花了小學一大筆錢，令董事會感到驚訝。
- substantial
more formal; can be used in business and legal contexts
- considerable
suggests the amount is noteworthy in size; neutral register
- sizeable
similar meaning but slightly less formal
- modest
describes a small or moderate amount, opposite of surprisingly large
用法筆記
Almost always appears with nouns related to money: 'sum', 'profit', 'amount', 'income', 'fortune'. Not used with general nouns like 'house' or 'car'.
常見錯誤
tidy — 名詞
1. a small box or holder with sections, designed to keep small items organised and
收納盒
放置小物品的分格容器
a small box or holder with sections, designed to keep small items organised and out of the way
Adina keeps her pens and paper clips in a small desk tidy on her table.
Adina 把筆和迴紋針放在桌上的小收納盒裡。
collocation: desk tidy
The car tidy next to the driver's seat holds sunglasses and loose change.
駕駛座旁的車用收納盒放著太陽眼鏡和零錢。
collocation: car tidy
A sewing tidy with separate pockets helps Omar organise buttons and thread.
有獨立口袋的縫紉收納盒能幫助 Omar 整理鈕扣和縫線。
Nala bought a wooden desk tidy with three drawers for her home study.
Nala 買了一個三層抽屜的木製桌上收納盒，放在家裡書房。
用法筆記
Typically followed by a modifier specifying the location or purpose ('desk tidy', 'car tidy', 'sewing tidy'). Not used as a standalone count noun without context.
常見錯誤
tidy — 動詞
1. to move things back into their correct positions so that a room, desk, or other
整理
使空間恢復整齊有序
to move things back into their correct positions so that a room, desk, or other space becomes clean and well ordered
Liam tidied his bedroom before his grandparents came to visit.
Liam 在祖父母來訪之前整理了自己的臥室。
transitive: tidy + room / space
Shanti spent the morning tidying the garage and throwing out old boxes.
Shanti 花了一整個早上整理車庫，把舊紙箱丟掉。
The children were told to tidy their toys away before dinner every night.
孩子們被告知每天晚飯前要把玩具收好。
Andrés tidied the kitchen counter and wiped down the stove after cooking.
Andrés 煮完飯後整理了廚房流理台，並把爐子擦乾淨。
Chiara tidies her desk for a few minutes at the end of each workday.
Chiara 每個工作日結束前會花幾分鐘整理她的辦公桌。
- straighten up
informal phrasal verb; suggests quick, light arranging rather than deep cleaning
- clear up
focuses on removing clutter rather than arranging items neatly
- neaten
less common; used mainly in American English for small adjustments
- mess up
to make a place untidy or disorganised
用法筆記
Often used with the particle 'up' ('tidy up') to emphasise completing the action. The phrasal verb 'tidy away' is specifically British and requires a direct object — you tidy away things, not places.