Fastidious
Word of the Day
What is Fastidious?
adjective
Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail; hard to please.
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Chosen to honor craftsmanship and the art of careful revision.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
He is fastidious about lab protocols.
A fastidious chef inspects every plate.
The curator’s fastidious eye shaped the exhibition.
Word Origins
Latin fastidiosus “disdainful, squeamish,” from fastidium “loathing”
Sense shifted from disdain to demanding meticulousness.
First appearance in English: 16th century
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
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Adjective:
Her meticulous notes impressed the panel.
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Noun:
Precision is prized in surgery.
-
Adjective:
He is scrupulous about conflict-of-interest rules.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: meticuloso / quisquilloso
- French: méticuleux / tatillon
- German: pingelig / akribisch
- Italian: meticoloso / pignolo
- Portuguese: meticuloso / esmerado
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Meticulous
Neutral precision; “fastidious” can imply fussiness.
Punctilious
Obsessive about rules and formality.
Exacting
Demands high standards; not necessarily picky.
Fun Facts
- In microbiology, “fastidious organisms” require special growth conditions.
- Style guides warn against fastidious over-editing that removes voice.
Cultural Usage
- Fastidious experimental design reduces bias.
- Fastidious restoration preserves original detail.
Common Mistakes
Often confused with “meticulous”; “fastidious” can suggest pickiness.
Micro Story
Her fastidious editing elevated the manuscript to brilliance.