Fastidious
adjective /fæˈstɪdɪəs/ — Very attentive to accuracy, detail, and quality — sometimes excessively so.
Definition
Having high and demanding standards, especially in terms of cleanliness, accuracy, and precision — a quality that produces excellent results when well-directed, and mild social friction when not.
Beyond the definition
The fastidious person notices what others skip. The comma out of place, the seam slightly crooked, the ingredient missing. It can be a gift and a burden — theirs and everyone else's.
Origin & history
Latin 'fastidiosus' — disdainful, from 'fastidium' (loathing, squeamishness). Originally implied squeamishness about dirt; evolved to mean high attention to detail.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She was fastidious about her correspondence — every letter proofread twice before sending.
His fastidious attention to the contract saved the company from a significant error.
Fastidious is a compliment dressed in slightly uncomfortable clothing.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Fastidious” when the meaning fits your context: Having high and demanding standards, especially in terms of cleanliness, accuracy, and precision — a quality that produces excellent results when well-directed, and mild social friction when not.
Synonyms
meticulous, scrupulous, punctilious, exacting, precise
Antonyms
careless, slapdash, slovenly
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Fastidious" mean?
Fastidious is adjective meaning: Very attentive to accuracy, detail, and quality — sometimes excessively so.. Having high and demanding standards, especially in terms of cleanliness, accuracy, and precision — a quality that produces excellent results when well-directed, and mild social friction when not.
Where does the word "Fastidious" come from?
Latin 'fastidiosus' — disdainful, from 'fastidium' (loathing, squeamishness). Originally implied squeamishness about dirt; evolved to mean high attention to detail.