picky

[pik-ee]

adjective

pickier, pickiest 

1. extremely fussy or finicky, usually over trifles.

picky

/ ˈpɪkɪ /

adjective

1. informal,  fussy; finicky; choosy

Other Word Forms

• pickiness noun
• pickily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of picky¹

First recorded in 1865–70; pick ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Though many kids aren’t without their picky eating habits, the child’s fussiness stems from a rare eating disorder, leaving her underweight and requiring a feeding tube that Linda must monitor daily.

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Claude is known as a bit of a diva with a picky appetite, said Bart Shepherd, senior director of Steinhart Aquarium.

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"To come away with a win, I'm really picky with performances but I don't care," Bellamy added.

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Her daughter has always been a picky eater, so introducing new foods at school without the pressure of having mom and dad nearby was helpful — and still is, she said.

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Turns out, the dog was just being picky, as he later scarfed down a bougie natural formula.

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