Does the phrase "that's so neat" has the same meaning as "that's so cool"? If so, does the word "neat" itself is the synonym of "cool"?
Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
Yes, "that's so neat" has the same meaning as "that's so cool". The word "neat" is in fact a synonym of "cool" in this context. However, the nuance of "neat" is a little different than "cool". Something which is "neat" in this case refers to something which is very good, excellent, or outstanding. So it may be a little bit more intense to use than "cool". However, the overall meaning expressed by both "neat" and "cool" is similar enough to use these two words interchangeably.