picky

American  

[pik-ee] / ˈpɪk i /

adjective

pickier, pickiest

1. extremely fussy or finicky, usually over trifles.

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picky British  

/ ˈpɪkɪ /

adjective

1. informal fussy; finicky; choosy

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Other Word Forms

• pickily adverb
• pickiness noun

Etymology

Origin of picky

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

Example Sentences

"I was into fashion and clothing when I was six years old. I was always very picky with my own outfits," he explained.

From Barron's

But bosses say the spring cleaning of the group's pipeline is needed to refocus and get the reorganisation off on the right foot in a market that has become pickier and more competitive than ever.

From Barron's

But coyotes aren’t picky: They will eat what’s available including rabbits, raccoons, birds, insects, fruit, vegetables, the contents of your garbage or compost, outdoor pet food and small pets.

From Los Angeles Times

And as consumers become increasingly picky amid a years-long struggle with higher prices, even small alterations to appearance risk adding up to bigger pressures on sales.

From MarketWatch

"Disaster is not picky. It affects from north to south. So we would like to expand this further," Macatulad said, adding that poor communities "most vulnerable to the effects of climate change" were the priority.

From Barron's