meticulous

[ muh-tik-yuh-luhs ]

adjective

1. taking or showing extreme care about minute details; precise; thorough:

   a meticulous craftsman;

   meticulous personal appearance.

   Synonyms: scrupulous, strict, exact

   Antonyms: careless

2. finicky; fussy:

   meticulous adherence to technicalities.

   Antonyms: careless

meticulous

/ mɪˈtɪkjʊləs /

adjective

1. very precise about details, even trivial ones; painstaking

Derived Forms

• meˈticulousness, noun
• meˈticulously, adverb

Other Words From

• me·tic·u·lous·ly adverb
• me·tic·u·los·i·ty [m, uh, -tik-y, uh, -, los, -i-tee], me·tic·u·lous·ness noun
• un·me·tic·u·lous adjective
• un·me·tic·u·lous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of meticulous¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin metīculōsus “full of fear, fearful,” equivalent to metī- for metū- (stem of metus “fear”) + -culōsus, extracted from perīculōsus “dangerous” ( perilous )

Word History and Origins

Origin of meticulous¹

C16 (meaning: timid): from Latin meticulōsus fearful, from metus fear

Synonym Study

See painstaking.

Example Sentences

Achieving that look of spontaneity required meticulous planning.

From Los Angeles Times

Getting the skin tone to match that of the actor requires an even more meticulous approach.

From Los Angeles Times

As a meticulous representation of the inexplicable, which clings to arguably the most censored and conspiracy-riddled major episode of modern American history, “Twenty-Six Seconds” is both remarkable and moving.

From Los Angeles Times

When we spoke, I wanted to know if she finds the public persona of Anna Wintour - the sharp, bobbed hair, the meticulous outfits, the glasses - a role she feels she has to perform.

From BBC

The meticulous thought behind each drink extends beyond flavor.

From Salon

Related Words

• accurate
• cautious
• conscientious
• exact
• fastidious
• fussy
• painstaking
• precise
• scrupulous
• strict
• thorough