Meticulous (adjective) means very careful and precise; giving great attention to detail — describing work, people, or processes where every detail is checked and nothing is overlooked.
Example: "The historian was meticulous in checking every source."
What Does Meticulous Mean?
Meticulous has an interesting etymology. It comes from the Latin meticulosus, meaning "timid" or "fearful" — derived from metus (fear). The original Latin implied someone so afraid of making a mistake that they checked and re-checked everything obsessively. In English, the fearful sense was gradually lost, and by the 19th century meticulous had come to mean simply "very careful and thorough" — usually a compliment.
Today, meticulous is almost always positive. It describes work done with exceptional care and precision: a meticulous researcher checks every footnote; meticulous planning anticipates every eventuality; a meticulous craftsman notices and corrects the smallest flaw. The word appears frequently in academic writing, professional contexts, and descriptions of skilled craftsmanship.
Key nuance: meticulous specifically implies careful attention to detail, not just general thoroughness. A thorough investigation covers all areas; a meticulous investigation also examines every fine detail within each area.
Pronunciation Guide
IPA: /məˈtɪkjʊləs/ — four syllables: mə-TIK-yoo-ləs. The stress falls on the second syllable: TIK. The first syllable is reduced to a schwa /mə/. Say it slowly: mə... TIK... yoo... ləs. Do not stress the first syllable.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level / Note |
|---|---|
| The historian was meticulous in checking every source. | C1 — academic / research |
| Meticulous planning was key to the project's success. | C1 — business / professional |
| She was meticulous about her appearance — never a hair out of place. | C1 — personal description |
| The surgeon performed the procedure with meticulous care. | C1 — medical / professional |
| His meticulous attention to detail made him an exceptional editor. | C1 — craft / writing context |
Word Family
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- thorough — done completely and carefully
- precise — exact in all details
- painstaking — taking great care and effort
- scrupulous — careful to do what is right
- fastidious — very attentive to accuracy
Antonyms
- careless — not giving enough attention
- sloppy — done without proper care
- hasty — done too quickly
- negligent — failing to take proper care
Common Collocations
- meticulous attention to detail — "She showed meticulous attention to detail in her work."
- meticulous planning / preparation — "Meticulous planning ensured everything ran smoothly."
- meticulous research — "The book was the result of meticulous research over ten years."
- meticulous record-keeping — "The accountant was known for meticulous record-keeping."
- meticulously researched / documented — "The case was meticulously documented."
- a meticulous approach — "He brought a meticulous approach to every task."
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
She was meticulious about her work. (spelling error — no extra 'i' before 'ous')
She was meticulous about her work. (correct spelling: m-e-t-i-c-u-l-o-u-s)
He was very meticulous of checking details. (wrong preposition)
He was very meticulous in / about checking details. (use 'in' or 'about', not 'of')
The work was done meticulous. (meticulous is an adjective — use the adverb to modify a verb)
The work was done meticulously. (adverb: meticulously)
Use in a Sentence — Try It Yourself
Can you write a sentence using meticulous? Try describing a person or profession known for attention to detail — a surgeon, watchmaker, editor, or scientist. For example: "The ________ was meticulous in her work, never leaving a single detail unchecked."
Related Words
Practise This Word
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