Punctilious
adjective /pʌŋkˈtɪlɪəs/ — Very attentive to details of conduct or procedure — precise to a point of ceremony.
Definition
Showing great attention to detail or correct behaviour — particularly in formal or social contexts. The punctilious person observes the finer points of conduct that others might not notice.
Beyond the definition
Punctilious is fastidious applied to etiquette. The punctilious person notices when the fork is on the wrong side, who replies within twenty-four hours, who spells your name correctly the first time. It can be a delight or a pressure, depending on which side of it you're on.
Origin & history
Latin 'punctum' (point) + Italian 'puntiglio' (fine point) → French 'pointilleux.' The 'point' in punctilious is the fine point of conduct — a punctilio is a precise detail of etiquette.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She was punctilious about acknowledgments — everyone who helped was named.
He was punctilious in his record-keeping, which saved the project twice.
Punctilious is not perfectionist; it's more ceremonial — the fine points matter precisely because they signal care.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Punctilious” when the meaning fits your context: Showing great attention to detail or correct behaviour — particularly in formal or social contexts. The punctilious person observes the finer points of conduct that others might not notice.
Synonyms
meticulous, scrupulous, fastidious, precise, exacting
Antonyms
careless, slapdash, casual
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Punctilious" mean?
Punctilious is adjective meaning: Very attentive to details of conduct or procedure — precise to a point of ceremony.. Showing great attention to detail or correct behaviour — particularly in formal or social contexts. The punctilious person observes the finer points of conduct that others might not notice.
Where does the word "Punctilious" come from?
Latin 'punctum' (point) + Italian 'puntiglio' (fine point) → French 'pointilleux.' The 'point' in punctilious is the fine point of conduct — a punctilio is a precise detail of etiquette.