picky
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of picky
Explanation
If you're extremely particular or fussy, you're picky. A picky eater might only eat chicken nuggets and tater tots. When you invite your picky friend to dinner, you'll probably have a hard time deciding what to serve, since she hates all vegetables; and if you're picky about sleeping in a comfortable, clean place, you might not be a fan of camping. Picky people are hard to please — they like things to be a certain way. This informal word first appeared in the 1860s.
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.
It has had a tough time this year remaining relevant amid new competitors and fast-food consumers who are becoming more picky about what they will pay for and eat, analysts say.
From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026
Ms. Bicks reminds us that copy editors can be very picky.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026
"Soon after their rediscovery, breeding them in captivity was tried, but that didn't work out, particularly because of how picky they are with their food resources," she said.
From Science Daily • May 20, 2026
Bhaduri was picky and proud but emphatically said, "I refuse to apologise for love."
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026
We really need to move, and she's getting picky about my words.
From "The Sky at Our Feet" by Nadia Hashimi
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.
