finicky

American  

[fin-i-kee] / ˈfɪn ɪ ki /

Sometimes finnicky;

adjective

finickier, finickiest

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

   Synonyms:

   picky, choosy, meticulous, demanding, exacting

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finicky British  

/ ˈfɪnɪkɪ /

adjective

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

2. full of trivial detail; overelaborate

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Other Word Forms

• superfinicky adjective

Etymology

Origin of finicky

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

Example Sentences

The “coffee-machine story” was a recounting of the finicky 1970s coin-operated coffee machine in his office that often malfunctioned and dispensed its entire contents from one coin.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From MarketWatch

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• choosy
• fastidious
• fussy
• scrupulous
• squeamish