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Definition of hairsplitter

hairsplitter

/ˈhɛəˌsplɪt.ər/
hair · split · ter
Plural:hairsplitters
•
Adjective:hairsplitting
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hairsplitter Lexical Profile

hairsplitter Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who makes overly fine, trivial, or pedantic distinctions in an argument or discussion.

Example

"The committee meeting dragged on for hours because a notorious hairsplitter insisted on debating the exact wording of every minor clause."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for hairsplitter

• Nearby Words

hairpiece
hairpin
hairsbreadth
hairsplitter
hairsplitting
hairspray
hairstyle

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 19th century as an agent noun from the idiom "to split hairs" (attested since the 17th century), using the metaphor of dividing something already exceedingly thin to represent making overly fine or trivial distinctions.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hairsplitter. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hairsplitter
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