Words / C1

m-uh-TIK-y-uh-l-uh-s/məˈtɪkjələs/

Meticulous means extremely careful about small details: meticulous notes, a meticulous check. Methodical (this batch) is ordered process; precise is exact; fussy can be the insult twin. Do not hide an empty n behind meticulous fonts.

Meaning

Extremely careful about small details.

Examples

• “Meticulous footnotes do not excuse an empty n cell.”
• “Careful is everyday. Precise hits the number. Pedantic (already in the dictionary) is the disapproving cousin. Methodical is the sequence. Detail on the cover is not a sample.”

Good to know

Extremely careful with detail. Everyday: careful. Cousin: methodical (order). Mix-up: pedantic (nit-picking). Fonts ≠ n.

Near in meaning

precise

New