Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Neat, clean, and orderly: Describes something arranged in a neat and organized way, without mess or clutter.
   • Considerable in amount: (Informal) Used to describe a sum of money or an amount that is fairly large or substantial.
   • Neat and well-groomed: Describes hair or a beard that is carefully trimmed and orderly.

2. Verb:

   • To make neat and orderly: To clean up, organize, or put things in their proper place.

3. Noun:

   • A container for small items: A receptacle used to hold various small objects, such as sewing supplies or other odds and ends.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • She keeps a tidy desk. (Her desk is neat and organized.)
  • He inherited a tidy sum from his grandfather. (He inherited a fairly large amount of money.)
  • The garden was small but very tidy. (The garden was neat and well-maintained.)

• Verb:

  • Please tidy your room before the guests arrive. (Please clean and organize your room.)
  • I need to tidy up these papers on the table. (I need to organize these papers.)

• Noun:

  • She keeps her sewing needles and thread in a small tidy. (She stores her sewing materials in a small container.)

Advanced Usage

• "A tidy mind": A way of thinking that is logical, organized, and methodical.
  • As an engineer, he has a very tidy mind.
• "Tidy habits": The practice of being consistently neat and organized in one's personal life or work.
  • Her tidy habits make her an excellent librarian.

Variants and Related Words

• Tidily (adverb): In a neat and orderly manner.
  • The books were arranged tidily on the shelf.
• Tidiness (noun): The state or quality of being neat and orderly.
  • The tidiness of the office was impressive.
• Untidy (adjective): The opposite of tidy; messy or disorganized.

Synonyms

• Adjective (neat): Neat, orderly, organized, clean, shipshape.
• Adjective (considerable): Substantial, sizable, hefty, respectable.
• Verb: Clean (up), straighten (up), organize, neaten.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Tidy away: To put something in its proper place, out of sight.
  • Can you tidy away the toys when you're finished playing?
• Tidy up: To make a place neat and clean by putting things in order. This is the most common phrasal verb form.
  • We must tidy up the kitchen after dinner.

Related Idioms

• A tidy profit: A satisfactory and often substantial amount of money gained from a deal or investment.
  • They made a tidy profit from selling their old car.

Adjective

1. large in amount or extent or degree
   • it cost a considerable amount
   • a goodly amount
   • received a hefty bonus
   • a respectable sum
   • a tidy sum of money
   • a sizable fortune
2. (of hair) neat and tidy
   • a nicely kempt beard
3. marked by order and cleanliness in appearance or habits
   • a tidy person
   • a tidy house
   • a tidy mind

Noun

1. receptacle that holds odds and ends (as sewing materials)

Verb

1. put (things or places) in order
   • Tidy up your room!