tidy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tidy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is neat, organized, or in good order. Example: "After spending the afternoon cleaning, the room looked tidy and welcoming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The visitors were neat and tidy, and they remained true to the passing principals that have marked Stam's fledging managerial career.

The Guardian - Sport

Drabble explains in her foreword that she has "never been a tidy writer", and that's certainly true here.

The Guardian - Books

The first-time director Michael Gracey achieves an aggressively synthetic style through kinetic editing and tidy underdog stories, but none of the true joy of pulling a fast one.

The New York Times

The words belong to Mary Poppins, coaxing the Banks children into tidying their nursery, but they are equally true of film promotion.

The New Yorker

If you don't count his newborn grandchild, Aamir is the only true innocent here, a tidy little man whose mania for cleanliness and order is his way of keeping chaos at bay.

The New York Times - Books

The director is John Lee Hancock, who does what he did with "The Blind Side," where he commandeered a true and jagged tale, tidied up the trauma, and made sure that everyone lived sappily ever after.

The New Yorker

Like a true obsessive, Ara always tidies up after himself.

Vice

Certainly she had a tidy sum in the post office, and it was true that he was always completely broke, but was that why?

The Guardian - Books

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Vice

It's a constant struggle against inertia -- and that's true even if you enjoy tidying up.

Huffington Post

Meanwhile, our contemporary "Girl" novels, bearing the influence of the noir tradition, and the messier landscape of true crime, aren't much for tidy endings.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tidy" to describe something that is not just clean, but also well-organized and pleasing to the eye. For example, a "tidy" room suggests everything is in its place.

Common error

While "tidy" is widely acceptable, avoid overuse in extremely formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise terms like "organized" or "systematic" to convey a higher degree of professionalism.

Linguistic Context

Tidy primarily functions as an adjective. It describes a noun, indicating that something is neat, organized, and well-arranged. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is usable and applicable in diverse scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

31%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tidy" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that is neat, organized, and well-arranged. Ludwig AI validates its widespread use and grammatical correctness. It is frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts. While generally appropriate, it should be used cautiously in highly formal writing, where more precise terms might be preferred. Alternatives like "neat", "orderly" and "organized" can provide subtle variations in meaning. Understanding these nuances will help ensure effective and appropriate use of "tidy" in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neat

Focuses on the appearance of being well-arranged and clean.

orderly

Emphasizes a systematic arrangement and lack of disarray.

organized

Highlights the structured and efficient arrangement of things.

shipshape

Implies a high degree of order and readiness, often with a nautical connotation.

spick and span

Emphasizes cleanliness and newness, suggesting a pristine condition.

immaculate

Stresses the absence of any flaws or imperfections; spotless and perfectly "tidy".

well-kept

Suggests regular maintenance and care, resulting in a neat appearance.

trim

Focuses on neatness and precision, often used to describe appearance.

methodical

Refers to doing things in a "tidy", systematic way.

in good order

Implies that something is functional, arranged correctly, and "tidy".

FAQs

How can I use "tidy" in a sentence?

You can use "tidy" to describe something that is neat and well-arranged. For example, "The room was "tidy" after she finished cleaning" or "He made a "tidy" profit on the investment".

What are some synonyms for "tidy"?

Alternatives include "neat", "orderly", or "organized". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "tidy" or "neat"?

Both "tidy" and "neat" are similar and often interchangeable. "Tidy" often implies a greater degree of order and arrangement, while "neat" can simply refer to cleanliness and lack of mess.

What does it mean to make a "tidy" profit?

Making a "tidy" profit means earning a substantial and pleasing amount of money. It suggests the profit was significant and well-deserved.