Words / C2

NAT-ee/ˈnæti/

Natty means smart, neat, and fashionable, especially of clothes or appearance (informal): a natty suit, natty about dress. Smart (already in the dictionary) is everyday well dressed (British) or clever; neat (already in the dictionary) is tidy and in order. Flamboyant (already in the dictionary) is showy and colourful — louder display. Ostentatious (already in the dictionary) is showy on purpose. A lapel is not a date.

Meaning

Smart, neat, and fashionable, especially of clothes or appearance (informal).

Examples

• “A natty lapel on the organogram still has to date the embargo.”
• “Smart is well dressed, or clever (already in A2). Neat is tidy (already in A2). Flamboyant is showy and colourful (already in C1). Ostentatious is showy on purpose (already in C2). Finish of a jacket can still be exact. Finish instead of a dated line is theatre. Write the embargo; leave the tailoring.”

Good to know

Smart and trim (of dress). Everyday: smart / neat (already in this dictionary). Contrast: flamboyant (already in C1); ostentatious (already in C2). A lapel ≠ a date.

Near in meaning

smart, dapper, spruce, trim

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