stickler

[ stik-ler ]

noun

1. a person who insists on something unyieldingly (usually followed by for ):

   a stickler for ceremony.

   Synonyms: purist, perfectionist, fanatic

2. any puzzling or difficult problem.

   Synonyms: mystery, riddle, puzzle

stickler

/ ˈstɪklə /

noun

1. usually foll by for a person who makes insistent demands

   a stickler for accuracy

2. a problem or puzzle

   the investigation proved to be a stickler

Word History and Origins

Origin of stickler¹

First recorded in 1530–40; stickle + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Time is running out to have a stable climate future, and we can’t afford to be sticklers here.

From Voice of San Diego

But, the Tap is just $129, which makes it a full $100 cheaper than the Blast, so if you’re not a stickler for fidelity and you don’t need the extra ruggedness offered by the UE speakers, it’s still hard to justify the extra cash.

From Popular-Science

The outraged grammar stickler mistakes a convention for an immutable and fundamental law of the universe.

From The Daily Beast

Her grammar is fine—Ann is a stickler for grammar—and her anecdotes make sense in that they have a beginning, a middle and an end.

From The Daily Beast

Maybe she's a cop who is a stickler for the rules because she's trying to impress the men upstairs.

From The Daily Beast

Clearly either she was not his biggest fan or she was a real stickler for rules.

From The Daily Beast

Here they did much of the autumn work, for Elizabeth was quite a stickler for having a common place to save something nicer.

From Project Gutenberg

Miss J. was a stickler for all forms of deference, and carried this weakness to the verge of absurdity.

From Project Gutenberg

The King, outward stickler that he was for the letter of the law, had to agree.

From Project Gutenberg

But he is a stickler for etiquette, end the table is cleared charmingly, though with dispatch, before they are placed before him.

From Project Gutenberg

Tunis Latham could be no stickler for quarter-deck etiquette on this voyage, that was sure.

From Project Gutenberg