Definition

Adverb: 1. In a neat, tidy, or orderly manner: Performing an action with care, precision, and cleanliness, resulting in an organized appearance. 2. In a cleverly simple and efficient way: Doing something in a skillful, adept, or elegantly simple manner.

Usage and Examples

• Describing tidy arrangement:
  • She folded the clothes neatly and placed them in the drawer.
  • Please write your name neatly at the top of the page.
• Describing precise or skillful execution:
  • The carpenter fitted the joints together neatly.
  • He solved the complex problem neatly with an elegant formula.

Advanced Usage

• "to sum up neatly": to conclude or summarize something in a clear, concise, and effective way.
  • The final paragraph sums up the author's argument neatly.
• "to fit neatly": to be perfectly suited or to align precisely.
  • His explanation fits neatly with the evidence we already have.

Variants and Related Words

• Neat (adjective): Tidy, clean, or cleverly simple.
  • He keeps a neat desk.
  • That was a neat solution to the issue.
• Neatness (noun): The quality or state of being neat.
  • The neatness of her handwriting is impressive.

Synonyms

• Tidily: In a tidy way.
• Orderly: In a well-ordered or methodical way.
• Precisely: In a precise, exact manner.
• Adroitly: With skill or cleverness.

Antonyms

• Messily: In a messy or untidy way.
• Sloppily: In a careless or untidy manner.
• Clumsily: In an awkward, unskillful way.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Neatly turned phrase": A cleverly or elegantly expressed sentence.
  • The essay was full of neatly turned phrases.
• "To be neatly dressed": To be wearing tidy, clean, and well-fitting clothes.
  • For the interview, he was neatly dressed in a suit and tie.

Adverb

1. with neatness
   • she put the slippers under the bed neatly