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Definition of nitpicker

nitpicker

/ˈnɪtˌpɪk.ɚ/
nit · pick · er
Plural:nitpickers
•
Adjective:nitpicky
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nitpicker Lexical Profile

nitpicker Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who is overly critical and habitually finds fault with petty, insignificant details.

Example

"The editor had a reputation as a relentless nitpicker who would delay publication over a single misplaced comma."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for nitpicker

• Nearby Words

nisqually
nit
nitpick
nitpicker
nitpicking
nitpicky
nitrate

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-20th century, the word literally refers to someone who performs the tedious task of picking tiny louse eggs ('nits') from hair, serving as a vivid metaphor for obsessive attention to microscopic faults.

Cite this Entry

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