Words / C1

pungk-TIL-ee-uh-s/pʌŋkˈtɪliəs/

Punctilious means very careful to behave correctly or to get every detail right: a punctilious minute, punctilious about the codebook. Careful (already in the dictionary) is everyday; fuss about form still needs a raw n.

Meaning

Very careful to behave correctly or to get details right (from careful, already in the dictionary).

Examples

• “A punctilious minute still needs the raw n in the cell.”
• “Careful is already in this course. Precise is already in this course. Form is a vibe. A codebook line is methods. Write the raw number; then keep the form if the rule still allows it.”

Good to know

Fussy about correct detail. Everyday: careful (already in the dictionary). Form ≠ a filled n.

Near in meaning

meticulous, scrupulous, precise

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