Pedant: meaning, definitions and examples

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pedant

[ˈpɛd(ə)nt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

person

A pedant is someone who is too concerned with literal accuracy or formality, especially in language use.

Synonyms

nitpicker, perfectionist, stickler.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pedant	A pedant is someone who is overly concerned with minor details or rules, often to a fault in academic or intellectual contexts. During the lecture, he came across as a pedant, focusing on the tiniest grammatical errors in everyone's presentations
perfectionist	A perfectionist strives for flawlessness and sets very high standards for themselves and others. This term is generally positive but can imply stress or difficulty in completing tasks. Being a perfectionist, he spent extra hours making sure every detail of the project was perfect
nitpicker	A nitpicker is someone who finds small or trivial faults, often in a critical or annoying way. This term often carries a negative connotation. She was such a nitpicker, pointing out every little mistake in the report even though overall, it was well done
stickler	A stickler is someone who insists on a certain quality or type of behavior, often to ensure rules or standards are met. It can be neutral or slightly negative depending on the context. He's a stickler for punctuality, always expecting everyone to arrive precisely on time for meetings

Examples of usage

His constant corrections of others' grammar earned him a reputation as a pedant.
Don't be such a pedant about the wording, just get your point across.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

education

In education, a pedant refers to a teacher who is overly focused on minor details and rules rather than the overall learning experience.

Synonyms

conservative, dogmatist, traditionalist.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pedant	Used to describe someone who is overly concerned with minor details or rules, often in an academic context. It can have a negative connotation, implying that the person is annoying or obsessively focused on trivial points. He's such a pedant, always correcting everyone's grammar.
dogmatist	Refers to someone who strongly asserts their opinions and beliefs, often without considering other viewpoints. This term usually has a negative connotation, suggesting inflexibility or authoritarianism. As a dogmatist, she refuses to listen to any ideas that differ from her own.
traditionalist	Describes a person who adheres to traditional views or practices. This term is often used positively to describe someone who respects and follows established customs. He is a traditionalist who values the customs and rituals passed down through generations.
conservative	Applicable to someone who is inclined to preserve existing conditions, institutions, or practices, and tends to oppose changes. This term is often used in a political or social context. My grandfather is very conservative and prefers things to stay the same.

Examples of usage

The pedant spent more time critiquing the students' handwriting than actually teaching the material.
Her reputation as a pedant made students dread her class.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the French 'pédant,' which means 'a schoolmaster' or 'a teacher,' highlighting a focus on teaching details.
Initially, the term had a neutral connotation, but over time it shifted to imply a negative view of someone overly concerned with minor details.

Literature

The term is often used in literature to describe characters who are excessively meticulous, such as Mr. Collins in Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice.'
In Shakespeare's works, some characters exhibit pedantic traits through their use of overly complex language to impress others.

Psychology

Pedantic behavior can sometimes be linked to obsessive-compulsive traits, where individuals feel compelled to control situations through detailed knowledge.
Research suggests that while pedants may be knowledgeable, their behavior can lead to social friction and misunderstandings.

Education

In educational settings, while detail-oriented individuals can help in accuracy, being overly pedantic may obstruct creative learning and expression.
Effective teaching balances detail with engagement; too much focus on facts can deter students from exploring broader concepts.

Pop Culture

Many characters in films and TV shows, such as the character Sheldon Cooper from 'The Big Bang Theory,' embody pedantic traits, often leading to humorous situations.
In video games, players often encounter pedantic characters who provide excessive background information or complex rules that may confuse the player.

Translations

Translations of the word "pedant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pedante

🇮🇳 सतर्कतावादी

🇩🇪 Pedant

🇮🇩 pedant

🇺🇦 педант

🇵🇱 pedant

🇯🇵 細かいことにこだわる人

🇫🇷 pédant

🇪🇸 pedante

🇹🇷 titiz

🇰🇷 세세한 것에 신경을 쓰는 사람

🇸🇦 مدقق

🇨🇿 pedant

🇸🇰 pedant

🇨🇳 迂腐之人

🇸🇮 pedant

🇮🇸 smámunasamur maður

🇰🇿 ұсақ-түйекке мән беретін адам

🇬🇪 პედანტი

🇦🇿 pedant

🇲🇽 pedante

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,355, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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29352 immunize
29353 jacking
29354 colossus
29355 pedant
29356 eloped
29357 skippers
29358 specifier
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