Fastidious: meaning, definitions and examples

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fastidious

[fəˈstɪdiəs ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

high standards

Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail. Showing or demanding excessive delicacy or care. Difficult to please.

Synonyms

choosy, fussy, meticulous, picky, precise.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
fastidious	Used when someone is very concerned about details and cleanliness. Often implies a bit of obsessive or overly demanding behavior. She is incredibly fastidious about keeping her kitchen spotless
meticulous	Describes someone who pays extreme attention to detail and is very careful in their work. It is generally seen as a positive trait. Her meticulous research ensured that the project was a success
precise	Describes someone or something that is exact and accurate in detail. It is usually neutral or positive. The surgeon's movements were precise and confident
picky	Used in informal situations to describe someone who is difficult to please and overly selective. Often has a negative or slightly childish connotation. He is so picky about his food that he rarely tries anything new
choosy	Used when someone is selective or particular about their choices. It has a slightly informal and casual tone. He is very choosy when it comes to picking restaurants for dinner
fussy	Refers to being difficult to please and overly concerned with minor details. It generally has a negative connotation. The toddler is fussy about what she wears every morning

Examples of usage

He was fastidious in his attention to detail.
She is very fastidious about cleanliness.
The fastidious customer returned the product because it had a tiny scratch.
It was impossible to satisfy his fastidious taste in food.
The fastidious editor rejected the manuscript for minor errors.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Latin term 'fastidiosus,' meaning 'full of disdain,' reflecting a careful or critical nature.
It entered the English language in the 17th century, initially used to describe people who were overly picky about cleanliness.
Related words include 'fastidiously' (adverb) and 'fastidiousness' (noun), which highlight the focus on detail and precision.

Psychology

Studies suggest that being fastidious can be associated with perfectionism, which may lead to both positive outcomes and stress.
Picky individuals might find themselves experiencing higher anxiety levels when things don't go as planned.
Interestingly, some research indicates that fastidiousness can correlate with high conscientiousness, an essential trait in successful individuals.

Literature

In literature, fastidious characters often display obsessive traits, adding depth to their personality, such as in the works of Jane Austen.
Charles Dickens’s characters frequently feature fastidiousness, illustrating social critiques via characters' overly refined behaviors.
Fastidious narratives can also serve to highlight the absurdities of social pretenses and excesses in Victorian-era literature.

History

Throughout history, various cultural movements have valued fastidious attention to detail, such as the Renaissance's emphasis on precision in art.
Certain historical figures were renowned for their fastidious habits, including Leonardo da Vinci, who meticulously documented his works and experiments.
In the Victorian era, fastidiousness became associated with moral character, reflecting underlying societal expectations about cleanliness and order.

Fashion

In fashion, designers known for fastidious attention to detail often create timeless collections, emphasizing quality and craftsmanship.
Historic fashion trends have often been dictated by fastidious standards when it comes to fabric, cut, and overall presentation.
Fashion editors and critics are typically fastidious, evaluating even minor details in collections during runway shows.

Translations

Translations of the word "fastidious" in other languages:

🇵🇹 meticuloso

🇮🇳 चूजी

🇩🇪 pingelig

🇮🇩 teliti

🇺🇦 ретельний

🇵🇱 drobiazgowy

🇯🇵 几帳面な

🇫🇷 méticuleux

🇪🇸 meticuloso

🇹🇷 titiz

🇰🇷 꼼꼼한

🇸🇦 دقيق

🇨🇿 pečlivý

🇸🇰 precízny

🇨🇳 挑剔的

🇸🇮 pedanten

🇮🇸 vandvirkur

🇰🇿 мұқият

🇬🇪 პედანტი

🇦🇿 dərindən düşünən

🇲🇽 meticuloso

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,004, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
19001 inbred
19002 senatorial
19003 workout
19004 fastidious
19005 consensual
19006 infirmary
19007 latterly
...