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Definition of stickler

stickler

/ˈstɪk.lɚ/
stick · ler
Plural:sticklers
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stickler Lexical Profile

stickler Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who insists on a certain quality, standard, rule, or type of behavior with uncompromising strictness.

Example

"Our editor is a stickler for accurate punctuation and never lets a misplaced comma slip into print."

2

A difficult, puzzling, or stubborn problem or question.

Example

"The final question on the physics exam proved to be a real stickler for most of the students."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for stickler

• Nearby Words

stickily
stickiness
stickleback
stickler
sticklike
stickman
stickpin

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the 16th century, "stickler" derives from the obsolete verb "stickle" (to act as an umpire or referee in a tournament), which comes from Old English "stihtan", meaning to arrange, regulate, or govern. Because tournament referees had to enforce rules with strict precision, the word gradually shifted to describe anyone who stubbornly insists on exactness.

Cite this Entry

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