punctilious

adjective punc·til·i·ous \-lē-əs\

: very careful about behaving properly and doing things in a correct and accurate way

Full Definition of PUNCTILIOUS

: marked by or concerned about precise accordance with the details of codes or conventions

— punc·til·i·ous·ly adverb

— punc·til·i·ous·ness noun

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First Known Use of PUNCTILIOUS

1634

Related to PUNCTILIOUS

Synonyms: correct, decorous, formal, nice, proper, ceremonious, starchy, stiff, stiff-necked, stilted

Antonyms: casual, easygoing, informal, laid-back, unceremonious

Synonym Discussion of PUNCTILIOUS

careful, meticulous, scrupulous, punctilious mean showing close attention to detail. careful implies attentiveness and cautiousness in avoiding mistakes <a careful worker>. meticulous may imply either commendable extreme carefulness or a hampering finicky caution over small points <meticulous scholarship>. scrupulous applies to what is proper or fitting or ethical <scrupulous honesty>. punctilious implies minute, even excessive attention to fine points <punctilious observance of ritual>.

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "punctilious"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "punctilious"

Nglish: Translation of "punctilious" for Spanish speakers

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