What is tidy? Pronunciation and usage in English

tidy means . Learn how to pronounce and use tidy through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of tidy

tidyadjective

/ˈtʌɪdi/
Definition & pronunciation of tidy

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "tidy" in English. It's a tricky one for non-native speakers! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • ** /ˈtaɪdi/ (rhymes with "hide")**

Let's break that down further:

  • "T": Pronounced like a regular "t" – a quick tap of the tongue against the roof of your mouth.
  • "ai": This is the key part! It's pronounced like the "i" in "eye" or "high." It's a diphthong (a combination of two vowel sounds).
  • "d": Pronounced like a regular "d".
  • "i": Pronounced like the "i" in "bit."

So, putting it together, you say it like "tie-dee."

Here are some tips:

  • Don't overemphasize the "t." It’s a quick sound.
  • Focus on that "ai" sound. That's what makes it distinct.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it. You can look up "how to pronounce tidy" on YouTube or use online dictionaries like Merriam-Webster or Cambridge Dictionary. They will have audio pronunciations.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you a sentence using the word "tidy" so you can practice saying it in context?

Usage and examples with the word tidy in English

Let's break down how to use the word "tidy" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with a few different meanings and uses!

1. As an Adjective (Most Common Usage - Meaning Neat & Organized):

This is by far the most frequent way you'll encounter "tidy." It describes something that is neat, well-arranged, and free of clutter.

  • Examples:
    • "Please tidy your room before your parents come home." (Meaning: Make it neat and tidy.)
    • "She had a tidy little apartment." (Meaning: A small but neat and organized apartment.)
    • "The desk was tidy with only a few pens and papers." (Meaning: Neatly arranged.)
    • "I like to keep my workspace tidy." (Meaning: I like to keep it neat and organized.)

2. As an Adjective (Meaning Small & Neat - Often for Clothes/Appearance):

Sometimes, "tidy" describes something small and neatly presented, often referring to clothing or appearance. This usage is more common in British English.

  • Examples:
    • "She wore a tidy little dress." (Meaning: A small, neatly styled dress.)
    • "He had a tidy haircut." (Meaning: A neatly cut haircut.)
    • "She always takes a tidy approach to her work." (meaning: a small and focused approach)

3. As a Verb (Meaning To Make Neat & Organized):

"Tidy" can also be a verb, meaning to make something neat and organized.

  • Examples:
    • "Can you tidy up your toys, please?" (Meaning: Please make them neat and organized.)
    • "I tidy the kitchen every evening." (Meaning: I make the kitchen neat and tidy every evening.)
    • "She tidied her notes before the exam." (Meaning: She organized her notes.)

4. Informal Use (Meaning "Okay" or "All Right"):

In very informal British English, "tidy" can sometimes be used as a general expression of agreement or satisfaction, similar to "okay," "alright," or "good." This is less common and more regional.

  • Example:
    • "Fancy a coffee?" "Tidy!" (Meaning: "Okay, that sounds good!")

Here's a table to summarize:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Adjective Neat & Organized "The garden is very tidy."
Adjective Small & Neat "She wore a tidy little hat."
Verb To Make Neat "Please tidy your bedroom."
Informal Okay/All Right "Fancy a drink?" "Tidy!"

Tips for Using "Tidy":

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning is intended.
  • Regional variation: Be aware that “tidy” is more common in British English than American English. While Americans generally use "neat," "tidy" is often perceived as a British expression.
  • Synonyms: Consider using synonyms like “neat,” “organized,” “clean,” "orderly," or “well-arranged” depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use "tidy"?
  • Compare "tidy" with similar words like "neat"?
  • Provide a quiz to test your understanding?

Synonyms for the word tidy

Practice with vocabulary tidy

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Please ensure your workspace is ______ at the end of each day to maintain a professional environment.
  2. The auditor was impressed by the ______ arrangement of the financial records, making the review process much smoother.
  3. For optimal project management, it's crucial to have a clearly ______ workflow, outlining each step and responsibility.
  4. Before the client visit, we need to ______ up the reception area, perhaps by dusting and vacuuming.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. After the team meeting, please help to ______ up the conference room, putting chairs back and clearing papers. a) mess b) tidy c) disarrange d) pollute
  2. Her filing system is incredibly ______, allowing her to locate any document within seconds. a) haphazard b) chaotic c) efficient d) neat e) tidy
  3. Which of these words best describes someone who maintains a clean and orderly environment? a) disarrayed b) unkempt c) methodical d) disorganized e) tidy
  4. Before the official launch, the marketing team needs to ______ the presentation materials for any typos or grammatical errors. a) revise b) inspect c) verify d) tidy
  5. The project manager emphasized the importance of ______ communication among team members to avoid misunderstandings. a) ambiguous b) transparent c) vague d) convoluted e) obscure

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The filing system for the old records was completely disorganized, making it hard to find anything.
    • Rewrite using a form of "tidy":
  2. She always ensures her project proposals are immaculate before submission.
    • Rewrite using "tidy":
  3. It is essential to start the new financial year with all accounts settled.
    • Rewrite NOT using "tidy" (replace a different word):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. tidy
  2. tidy
  3. organized
  4. clean

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) tidy
  2. c) efficient, d) neat, e) tidy
  3. c) methodical, e) tidy
  4. a) revise, b) inspect, c) verify
  5. b) transparent

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The filing system for the old records was untidy, making it hard to find anything.
  2. She always ensures her project proposals are perfectly tidy before submission.
  3. It is essential to reconcile all accounts before the new financial year commences.

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