What does natty mean?
The adjective natty describes something or someone that is stylish, elegant, and neat in appearance or manner. It can refer to a person's clothing, behavior, or overall demeanor, and often implies a sense of refinement or polish. While natty can be used to describe a wide range of things, from a well-dressed individual to a neatly arranged room, it often carries a slightly informal or old-fashioned tone. In some contexts, natty may also imply a sense of affected or artificial stylishness, as if someone is trying too hard to be fashionable or impressive. Overall, natty is a useful word for describing things that are stylish and well-put-together, and can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to a description.
adjectiveNatty refers to something or someone that is stylish, elegant, and neat in appearance or manner.
- Having a stylish or elegant quality.
- Informal or colloquial usage: somewhat showy or flashy.
"She wore a natty little hat to the party."
"The natty dresser in the corner caught everyone's eye."
"His natty behavior was seen as trying too hard."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of natty
The word natty is believed to have originated in the mid-18th century, possibly as a variant of the word neat, with which it shares a similar meaning. The exact etymology of natty is unclear, but it may be related to the Old English word niat, meaning 'neat' or 'clean'.
Usage notes
Natty can have a slightly informal or old-fashioned tone, and may imply a sense of affected or artificial stylishness.