finicky

Sometimes fin·nick·y;

[fin-i-kee]

adjective

finickier, finickiest 

1. excessively particular or fastidious; difficult to please; fussy.

   Synonyms: picky, choosy, meticulous, demanding, exacting

finicky

/ ˈfɪnɪkɪ /

adjective

1. excessively particular, as in tastes or standards; fussy

2. full of trivial detail; overelaborate

Other Word Forms

• superfinicky adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of finicky¹

First recorded in 1815–25; finick + -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of finicky¹

C19: from _finical

Example Sentences

His first recommendation comes long before you board, during the finicky process of where to sit.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Restaurants have struggled this year with rising costs for ingredients such as beef, scarce labor and more finicky customers.

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The farmers who sampled it were quick to dismiss the finicky tree.

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Hamstring injuries are finicky, especially for a mobile quarterback, and hurrying back from one is never smart.

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Watchdogs also caution that the math to determine whether bioenergy projects sequester or release carbon is complicated and finicky.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• choosy 
• fastidious 
• fussy 
• scrupulous 
• squeamish