pernickety

[ per-nik-i-tee ]

adjective

persnickety.

Origin of pernickety

1800–10; originally Scots; of uncertain origin; the prefix per- occurs in a number of other expressive words in Scots, e.g. pergaddus thump, clatter, perskeet fastidious, perjink trim, neat

Other words from pernickety

per·nick·et·i·ness, noun

Words Nearby pernickety

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pernickety in a sentence

Besides, she was dretful pernickety about folks comin' into the yard.
Narcissa, or the Road to Rome | Laura E. Richards
It's a business, and a very pernickety one to boot, and it's to keep Bart away from business that we are striving.
The Garden, You, and I | Mabel Osgood Wright
"Ada is very pernickety," she said, smiling towards that individual conversing with Dick.
Red Pottage | Mary Cholmondeley
You didn't use to be so pernickety, when you was punchin' on the range, Lon.
Fifty Contemporary One-Act Plays | Various
I remember she was most pernickety about her blacks after my father's death.
The Judge | Rebecca West

British Dictionary definitions for pernickety

pernickety

US persnickety

/ (pəˈnɪkɪtɪ) /

adjectiveinformal

excessively precise and attentive to detail; fussy
(of a task) requiring close attention; exacting

Origin of pernickety

C19: originally Scottish, of unknown origin

Derived forms of pernickety

pernicketiness or US persnicketiness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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