methodical
Americanadjective
-
performed, disposed, or acting in a systematic way; systematic; orderly.
a methodical person.
-
painstaking, especially slow and careful; deliberate.
adjective
Synonym Usage
See orderly.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of methodical
First recorded in 1560–70; methodic, from Latin methodic(us) or directly from Greek methodikós; see method, -ic + -al 1
Explanation
Methodical means following a method. If you follow the same sixteen steps in the same order when you make a fire, you could be said to take a methodical approach to this activity. The idea of moving slowly and orderly through a process can at times be dismissed as bureaucratic or obsessive, but when you use the word methodical to describe it, chances are you think that it's good to follow a method. The only thing missing from a methodical approach is inspiration — dancers shouldn't be too methodical; engineers should.
Vocabulary lists containing methodical
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 3
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Methodical by nature, he approached the decision like any other — by researching, organizing and planning.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2025
Methodical, logical, long-term investing might feel scary, but you might already be doing it.
From Salon • Feb. 26, 2025
"Methodical" and "modest" are words often used to describe the tax collector, who celebrates his 44th birthday on Monday.
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2024
Methodical he is not, as the crumbs scattered on the senatorial carpet in his office off the Senate floor attest.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 8, 2022
Pappenheim thinks that Sextus belonged to the Methodical School, both from his strong expression in favor of that school in Hyp.
From Sextus Empiricus and Greek Scepticism by Patrick, Mary Mills
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
