Pernickety: meaning, definitions and examples

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pernickety

 

[ pərˈnɪkəti ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

personality trait

Pernickety describes someone who is overly concerned with minor details and is difficult to please. This term often refers to individuals who are excessively particular or fussy about how things should be done.

Synonyms

fastidious, finicky, fussy, particular, picky

Examples of usage

  • She is so pernickety about her appearance that it takes her hours to get ready.
  • The pernickety chef had specific requirements for every dish he prepared.
  • He was tired of her pernickety nature and just wanted to enjoy a simple meal.
  • The pernickety manager checked every detail of the report before submission.

Translations

Translations of the word "pernickety" in other languages:

🇵🇹 exigente

🇮🇳 चिड़चिड़ा

🇩🇪 wählerisch

🇮🇩 rewel

🇺🇦 вибагливий

🇵🇱 wybredny

🇯🇵 細かい

🇫🇷 pointilleux

🇪🇸 exigente

🇹🇷 titiz

🇰🇷 까다로운

🇸🇦 مُتَفَاصِل

🇨🇿 vytížený

🇸🇰 náročný

🇨🇳 挑剔

🇸🇮 izbirčen

🇮🇸 kröppur

🇰🇿 талапшыл

🇬🇪 მძიმე

🇦🇿 tələblə

🇲🇽 exigente

Word origin

The word 'pernickety' originated in the late 19th century, primarily used in British English. It is believed to derive from the Scots word 'pernickety,' which means hardworking or particular about details. The term has evolved over time to encompass an attitude of fussiness and excessive attention to particularities. Although the exact etymology is somewhat unclear, it is thought to have been influenced by similar words in the English lexicon, drawing on the idea of being meticulous or overly careful. Today, 'pernickety' is commonly used to describe people or behaviors that are seen as overly meticulous, often with a negative connotation, suggesting that such attentiveness to trivial matters can lead to frustration or annoyance.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,026, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.