tenu

neat, well-kept

adjective tuh-NOO Rare

Usage Note

Tenu is the past participle of tenir used as an adjective meaning 'maintained, tidy, well-kept' — une maison bien tenue is a well-kept house. As a formal or legal term, être tenu de means 'to be obliged to do something.' The feminine form is tenue, which is also a noun meaning 'outfit, attire.'

Examples

"Son journal est toujours bien tenu."

Natural Translation

Her journal is always neatly kept.

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