Pedantic Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

📚

Add to dictionary

pedantic

[pəˈdantɪk ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

in behavior

Excessively concerned with minor details or rules; overscrupulous.

Synonyms

meticulous, nitpicking, perfectionist, precise.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pedantic	Used when someone is overly concerned with minor details or rules, often in a way that is annoying. He can be quite pedantic, correcting every tiny mistake in our reports. Her pedantic approach to grammar makes conversations with her exhausting.
meticulous	Describes someone who shows great attention to detail, often in a positive sense. She is meticulous in her work, ensuring every detail is perfect. His meticulous planning made the event a huge success.
precise	Indicates a high degree of accuracy and exactness, often in a neutral or positive sense. She gave precise instructions so everyone knew exactly what to do. He is very precise in his calculations, ensuring there are no errors.
nitpicking	Refers to looking for small or unimportant errors, often in a critical or negative way. His constant nitpicking irritates his colleagues. She spent too much time nitpicking over minor issues instead of focusing on the big picture.
perfectionist	Used to describe someone who strives for flawlessness and is often dissatisfied with anything less than perfect. Being a perfectionist, she finds it hard to delegate tasks. His perfectionist nature makes him very hardworking but also stressed.

Examples of usage

He wrote a pedantic lecture on grammar rules.
She was often criticized for being pedantic in her approach to work.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

in writing

Characterized by a narrow, often ostentatious concern for academic knowledge and formal rules.

Synonyms

academic, pompous, pretentious, scholarly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pedantic	When someone is overly concerned with small details or formal rules, often in a way that annoys others. This term often carries a negative connotation. She gave a pedantic lecture on grammar that bored everyone
scholarly	Used to describe someone who is academic and learned, often focusing on studies and research. This word has a positive connotation. He has written many scholarly articles on ancient history
academic	Used when referring to seriousness about studies or education, or relating to an educational environment. It can also imply something theoretical or not practical. He has a very academic approach to problem-solving
pretentious	When someone tries to appear more important or knowledgeable than they really are, often in a way that seems insincere. This term is generally negative. She made a pretentious remark about her extensive travels
pompous	Describes someone who shows an exaggerated sense of self-importance and is often seen as irritating. This word has a strong negative connotation. His pompous speech about his achievements turned everyone off

Examples of usage

The pedantic style of his writing made it difficult for the average reader to follow.
Her pedantic essay was filled with unnecessary jargon.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Education

In education, a pedantic approach may lead to confusion among students who are eager to learn but become overwhelmed by excessive detail.
Some educators argue that being overly pedantic can stifle creativity and critical thinking in learners.
Balancing thoroughness and simplicity is key; too much detail may cause learners to disengage.

Literature

Literary characters exhibiting pedantic behavior often serve to highlight the flaws of focusing too rigidly on rules or knowledge.
Classic novels, like those of Charles Dickens, sometimes feature pedantic characters that illustrate the follies of extreme intelligence without common sense.
Authors use pedantic characters as comic relief, showing how excessive knowledge can lead to misunderstandings or absurd situations.

Psychology

People with pedantic tendencies may have a need for structure and order, which can arise from a personality trait known as conscientiousness.
In discussions, pedantic individuals might struggle with emotional connection due to their focus on facts and precision.
Research suggests that this behavior can also come from anxiety, leading individuals to emphasize control through detailed knowledge.

Pop Culture

In movies, pedantic characters are often portrayed as quirky or annoying, adding an element of humor in social situations.
Television shows like 'The Big Bang Theory' feature pedantic characters, showcasing both their smarts and social challenges.
Online communities sometimes refer to overly detailed commentators as 'pedants', particularly in discussions about trivia or facts.

Origin of 'pedantic'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the French 'pédant', meaning a schoolmaster or teacher.
It originally described someone who was overly concerned with minor details or formalism in education.
The term has roots in the Latin 'pedagogus' which referred to a teacher or slave who escorted children to school.

The word 'pedantic' originates from the late Middle English word 'pedant', which originally referred to a male schoolteacher. Over time, it evolved to describe someone who is overly concerned with minor details and rules. The concept of pedantry has been associated with both positive traits like precision and negative traits like being overly rigid. The term has been used extensively in literature and academic discussions.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,598, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
21595 rhyming
21596 stenographic
21597 distanced
21598 pedantic
21599 peeked
21600 subjugated
21601 proliferate
...