Words / C1

m-uh-THOD-ikl/məˈθɒdɪkl/

Methodical means done in a careful, ordered, systematic way: a methodical search, a methodical worker. Careful is everyday; meticulous (this batch) is fussier about tiny details; chaotic is opposite. Do not call a random shuffle methodical because it took a long time.

Meaning

Done in a careful, ordered, systematic way.

Examples

• “A methodical badge log beat a charismatic chair.”
• “Careful is everyday. Systematic is a close twin. Meticulous sweats commas. Method (already in the dictionary) is the noun family. Slow is not automatically methodical.”

Good to know

Systematic and ordered. Everyday: careful. This batch: meticulous (micro-detail). Time spent ≠ method.

Near in meaning

careful

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