Nitpicker: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this word to describe someone who focuses on small, often unimportant details, usually in an annoying way.

• She is such a nitpicker, always pointing out the smallest errors in my essays
• / Even though the project was good, the nitpicker couldn't stop finding tiny mistakes

Use this to describe someone who strives for flawless results and has very high standards, which can be both positive and negative.

• As a perfectionist, she couldn't submit the report until she was absolutely sure it was perfect
• / The team appreciated his perfectionist tendencies when it came to ensuring quality

Use this term to describe someone who is habitually critical and tends to find faults in everything, often seen negatively.

• He is always playing the faultfinder, never appreciating the efforts of others
• / Nobody likes working with a faultfinder who never seems to see the positive side

This word describes someone who is overly concerned with formal rules and details, particularly in learning or education.

• The professor was a bit of a pedant, always insisting on strict adherence to the grammar rules
• / Rather than enjoying the book, he became a pedant, pointing out every factual inaccuracy