neat Definition

neat¹
adj neater, neatest

1. Tidy; clean; orderly.

Thesaurus: tidy, clean, orderly, immaculate, spotless, meticulous, exact, precise, trim, spruce, natty, dapper, fastidious, dainty, methodical, systematic, uncluttered; Antonym: slovenly, unkempt.
2. Pleasingly small or regular.
3. Elegantly or cleverly simple.

Example: a neat explanation
4. Skilful or efficient

Example: Neat work!
Thesaurus: clever, deft, skilful, expert, proficient, handy, apt, adroit, agile, dexterous, graceful, artful, nimble, finished, practised; Antonym: awkward, clumsy.
(N Amer)
5. Excellent

Example: That's neat!
6. Said especially of an alcoholic drink: undiluted.

Derivative: neatly
adverb

In an orderly manner
Thesaurus: tidily, orderly, systematically, methodically, immaculately, trimly, primly, daintily, elegantly, nicely, stylishly; Antonym: untidily, sloppily.

In a precise or skilful manner
Thesaurus: skilfully, deftly, agilely, cleverly, adroitly, aptly, easily, nimbly, precisely, handily, expertly.

Derivative: neatness
noun

The quality or state of being tidy, clean or orderly
Thesaurus: cleanliness, cleanness, tidiness, clearness, correctness, fastidiousness, grace, niceness, preciseness.

Etymology: 16c: from French net clean or tidy.

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neat²
noun

neat
1. archaic or dialect
An ox, bull or cow, etc.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon meaning ‘a beast' or ‘cattle', from neotan to use.