Dictionary
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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