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Definition of meticulous

meticulous

/məˈtɪk.jə.ləs/
me · tic · u · lous
Adverb:meticulously
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meticulous Lexical Profile

meticulous Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Showing great attention to detail; very careful, thorough, and precise.

Example

"The conservator did a meticulous job restoring the centuries-old oil painting to its original vibrancy."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

While 'meticulous' originally implied an excessive or fearful fussiness over minor details, in modern English it is overwhelmingly used as a positive term of praise for admirable thoroughness and precision.

• Rhymes for meticulous

• Nearby Words

methuselah
methyl
meticulosity
meticulous
meticulously
meticulousness
metoprolol

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the 16th century from Latin 'meticulosus' ('fearful, timid'), derived from 'metus' ('fear'); the sense shifted via French 'méticuleux' from being overly fearful of making small mistakes to being scrupulously careful and exact.

Cite this Entry

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