meticulous

adjective

me·tic·u·lous mə-ˈti-kyə-ləs How to pronounce meticulous (audio)

: marked by extreme or excessive care in the consideration or treatment of details

a meticulous researcher

meticulosity

mə-ˌti-kyə-ˈlä-sə-tē How to pronounce meticulous (audio)

noun

meticulously

mə-ˈti-kyə-ləs-lē How to pronounce meticulous (audio)

adverb

meticulousness

mə-ˈti-kyə-ləs-nəs How to pronounce meticulous (audio)

noun

Did you know?

Meticulous Has Fearful Roots

It may surprise you to learn that meticulous is derived from the Latin word for "fearful"—meticulosus—and ultimately comes from the Latin noun metus, meaning "fear." Although meticulous currently has no "fearful" meanings, it was originally used as a synonym of "frightened" and "timid." This sense had fallen into disuse by 1700, and in the 19th century meticulous acquired a new sense of "overly and timidly careful" (probably influenced by the French word méticuleux). This in turn led to the current meaning of "painstakingly careful," with no connotations of fear at all. The newest use was controversial among some usage commentators at first, but it has since become by far the most common meaning and is no longer considered an error.

Example Sentences

Always meticulous about his appearance in the past, he had become dirty and unkempt, with straggly hair, stained clothes, and patches of silver stubble on his chin.

Minette Walters, Fox Evil, 2002 She was very much the craftswoman, all her work meticulous, slow, perfect.

Simon Winchester, The Professor and the Madman, 1998 In dense, meticulous arguments … Brooten mounts an assault on that view.

Cullen Murphy, Atlantic, August 1993 He described the scene in meticulous detail. He is meticulous about keeping accurate records.

Recent Examples on the Web The fit and finish of the $399 Px7 S2 is meticulous.

Robert Ross, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2022 And that process, while rather free-form, was incredibly meticulous.

Biju Sukumaran, Chron, 7 Sep. 2022 Michelle Cain, the mother of a 9-year-old and 6-year-old twins in a Chicago suburb, is meticulous in her search for bargains.

Jaclyn Peiser, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2022 Everything is very methodical, and everything is very meticulous, intended to keep ourselves as safe as possible.

Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, 19 July 2022 Dominic had always been meticulous, even as a child, making his bed of his own accord since age 4.

Kiera Feldmanstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2022 Along with maintaining a responsible carbon footprint, meticulous attention to detail was critical for the pair.

Antonia Debianchi, PEOPLE.com, 15 June 2022 Higashioka and Trevino are collaborators whose meticulous attention to detail and studious preparation have immediately paid dividends for the pitchers.

Wayne G. Mcdonnell, Jr., Forbes, 13 June 2022 That’s because it was built in 1904 and throughout the years, the owners have paid meticulous attention to preserving its original grandeur.

Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 7 June 2022 See More

单词	meticulousness
释义	meticulous adjective me·tic·u·lous mə-ˈti-kyə-ləs : marked by extreme or excessive care in the consideration or treatment of details a meticulous researcher meticulosity mə-ˌti-kyə-ˈlä-sə-tē noun meticulously mə-ˈti-kyə-ləs-lē adverb meticulousness mə-ˈti-kyə-ləs-nəs noun Did you know? Meticulous Has Fearful Roots It may surprise you to learn that meticulous is derived from the Latin word for "fearful"—meticulosus—and ultimately comes from the Latin noun metus, meaning "fear." Although meticulous currently has no "fearful" meanings, it was originally used as a synonym of "frightened" and "timid." This sense had fallen into disuse by 1700, and in the 19th century meticulous acquired a new sense of "overly and timidly careful" (probably influenced by the French word méticuleux). This in turn led to the current meaning of "painstakingly careful," with no connotations of fear at all. The newest use was controversial among some usage commentators at first, but it has since become by far the most common meaning and is no longer considered an error. Synonyms careful conscientious fussy loving painstaking scrupulous See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Always meticulous about his appearance in the past, he had become dirty and unkempt, with straggly hair, stained clothes, and patches of silver stubble on his chin. Minette Walters, Fox Evil, 2002 She was very much the craftswoman, all her work meticulous, slow, perfect. Simon Winchester, The Professor and the Madman, 1998 In dense, meticulous arguments … Brooten mounts an assault on that view. Cullen Murphy, Atlantic, August 1993 He described the scene in meticulous detail. He is meticulous about keeping accurate records. Recent Examples on the Web The fit and finish of the $399 Px7 S2 is meticulous. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2022 And that process, while rather free-form, was incredibly meticulous. Biju Sukumaran, Chron, 7 Sep. 2022 Michelle Cain, the mother of a 9-year-old and 6-year-old twins in a Chicago suburb, is meticulous in her search for bargains. Jaclyn Peiser, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2022 Everything is very methodical, and everything is very meticulous, intended to keep ourselves as safe as possible. Mary Colurso \| Mcolurso@al.com, al, 19 July 2022 Dominic had always been meticulous, even as a child, making his bed of his own accord since age 4. Kiera Feldmanstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2022 Along with maintaining a responsible carbon footprint, meticulous attention to detail was critical for the pair. Antonia Debianchi, PEOPLE.com, 15 June 2022 Higashioka and Trevino are collaborators whose meticulous attention to detail and studious preparation have immediately paid dividends for the pitchers. Wayne G. Mcdonnell, Jr., Forbes, 13 June 2022 That’s because it was built in 1904 and throughout the years, the owners have paid meticulous attention to preserving its original grandeur. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 7 June 2022 See More Word History Etymology earlier, "fearful," borrowed from Latin metīculōsus, metūculōsus "timid, apprehensive," from metū-, stem of metus "fear, dread" (of uncertain origin) + -culōsus (in perīculōsus "involving danger, perilous") Note: The senses "overscrupulous," then "careful, scrupulous" may depend on French méticuleux, for which these meanings are attested somewhat earlier than in English. First Known Use 1827, in the meaning defined above Kids Definition meticulous adjective me·tic·u·lous mə-ˈtik-yə-ləs : showing extreme or excessive care in thinking about or dealing with small details a meticulous description meticulousness noun as in carefulness strict attentiveness to what one is doing he dressed himself with uncharacteristic meticulousness, which made us suspect he was going on a date Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance carefulness scrupulousness conscientiousness attention precision care effort concentration heedfulness pains heed watchfulness meticulosity vigilance observation exactness closeness painstaking focus alertness mindfulness punctiliousness observance advertence responsibility dutifulness particularity advertency irreproachability bother trouble irreproachableness Antonyms & Near Antonyms negligence inattentiveness heedlessness inattention inadvertence inadvertency inobservance See More
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meticulous

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

noun