Meticulous
Tax returns, surgery checklists, and the friend who spots a typo in your resume all point to the same habit of refusing to wing the details.
Learn This WordMeaning
Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
Memory trick
Think "ME-TICK-YOU-LESS" = "Me checking every tick, you make less mistakes." Meticulous people check every detail.
Examples
The surgeon was meticulous in her preparation for the complex operation.
He kept meticulous records of all his business transactions.
Her meticulous attention to detail ensured the project was flawless.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin meticulosus "fearful, timid," from metus "fear." The meaning evolved to "careful" in English.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in professional contexts to describe careful, detail-oriented work.
Real-life contexts
Praise attention to detail: "Your meticulous work is impressive."
Describe processes: "The investigation was meticulous."
Use professionally: "She's meticulous about documentation."
Common Mistakes
While meticulous is generally positive, it can sometimes imply being overly fussy or perfectionist.
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Start LearningQuick Facts
Part of Speech
adjective
Difficulty
intermediateMonthly Searches
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