neat ◆◇◇ /niː t/ (neater , neatest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A neat place, thing, or person is tidy and smart, and has everything in the correct place. □ She undressed and put her wet clothes in a neat pile in the corner. □ …a girl in a neat grey flannel suit. □ Everything was neat and tidy and gleamingly clean. ● neat|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/-ed] □ He folded his paper neatly and sipped his coffee. □ At the door was a neatly dressed, dignified man. ● neat|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ The grounds were a perfect balance between neatness and natural wildness.
2 ADJ Someone who is neat keeps their home or possessions tidy, with everything in the correct place. □ 'That's not like Alf,' he said, 'leaving papers muddled like that. He's always so neat.' ● neat|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Josephine's few possessions are neatly arranged. ● neat|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …a paragon of neatness, efficiency and reliability.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A neat object, part of the body, or shape is quite small and has a smooth outline. □ …a faded woman with neat features. □ …neat handwriting. ● neat|ly ADV [ADV -ed] □ She was a small woman, slender and neatly made.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A neat movement or action is done accurately and skilfully, with no unnecessary movements. □ A neat move between Black and Keane left Nigel Clough in the clear, but his shot skimmed wide of the far post. ● neat|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He watched her peel and dissect a pear neatly; no mess, no sticky fingers.
5 ADJ A neat way of organizing, achieving, explaining, or expressing something is clever and convenient. □ It had been such a neat, clever plan. □ Neat solutions are not easily found to these issues. ● neat|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Real people do not fit neatly into these categories. ● neat|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] He knew full well he had been outflanked, and he appreciated the neatness of it.
6 ADJ If you say that something is neat , you mean that it is very good. [AM , INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ 'Oh, those new apartments are really neat,' the girl babbled on. □ It'll be neat to have a father and son playing on the same team.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] When someone drinks strong alcohol neat , they do not add a weaker liquid such as water to it. [mainly BRIT ] □ He poured himself a brandy and swallowed it neat. □ He took a mouthful of neat whisky, and coughed. in AM, use straight SYNONYMS neat ADJ 1
tidy: Having a tidy desk can seem impossible if you have a busy, demanding job.
orderly: Their vehicles were parked in orderly rows.
immaculate: Her front room was kept immaculate.
nebu|la /ne bjələ/ (nebulae ) N‑COUNT [oft in names] A nebula is a cloud of dust and gas in space. New stars are produced from nebulae.
nebu|lous /ne bjələs/ ADJ If you describe something as nebulous , you mean that it is vague and not clearly defined or not easy to describe. □ The notions we children were able to form of the great world beyond were exceedingly nebulous. □ Music is such a nebulous thing.
nec|es|sari|ly ◆◇◇ /ne s I se r I li, -sr I li/
1 ADV [with neg, ADV before v] If you say that something is not necessarily the case, you mean that it may not be the case or is not always the case. [VAGUENESS ] □ Anger is not necessarily the most useful or acceptable reaction to such events. □ A higher fee does not necessarily mean a better course. ● CONVENTION If you reply ' Not necessarily ', you mean that what has just been said or suggested may not be true. □ 'He was lying, of course.'—'Not necessarily.'
2 ADV [ADV before v] If you say that something necessarily happens or is the case, you mean that it has to happen or be the case and cannot be any different. □ The most desirable properties necessarily command astonishingly high prices. □ Tourism is an industry that has a necessarily close connection with governments.
nec|es|sary ◆◆◇ /ne s I səri/
1 ADJ Something that is necessary is needed in order for something else to happen. □ [+ to-inf] I kept the engine running because it might be necessary to leave fast. □ We will do whatever is necessary to stop them. □ Is that really necessary? □ Make the necessary arrangements.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A necessary consequence or connection must happen or exist, because of the nature of the things or events involved. □ Wastage was no doubt a necessary consequence of war. □ Scientific work has a necessary connection with the idea of progress.
3 PHRASE If you say that something will happen if necessary , when necessary , or where necessary , you mean that it will happen if it is necessary, when it is necessary, or where it is necessary. □ If necessary, the airship can stay up there for days to keep out of danger. □ The army needs men who are willing to fight, when necessary. □ All the rigging had been examined, and renewed where necessary.
ne|ces|si|tate /n I se s I te I t/ (necessitates , necessitating , necessitated ) VERB If something necessitates an event, action, or situation, it makes it necessary. [FORMAL ] □ [V n/v-ing] A prolonged drought had necessitated the introduction of water rationing.
ne|ces|sity /n I se s I ti/ (necessities )
1 N‑UNCOUNT The necessity of something is the fact that it must happen or exist. □ [+ of ] There is agreement on the necessity of reforms. □ Most women, like men, work from economic necessity. □ Some people have to lead stressful lifestyles out of necessity. ● PHRASE If you say that something is of necessity the case, you mean that it is the case because nothing else is possible or practical in the circumstances. [FORMAL ] □ Negotiations between the enemies are of necessity indirect.