Definition
“Fastidious” is an adjective that describes someone who is very careful, attentive to detail, and meticulous in their work or habits. It can also describe something that requires a lot of attention to detail.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Adjective
Synonyms
Meticulous, precise, diligent, scrupulous, thorough
Antonyms
Careless, sloppy, negligent, haphazard, casual
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | fastidiousness, fastidiousnesses |
| Verb | None |
| Adjective | fastidious |
| Adverb | fastidiously |
Example Sentences
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The artist was fastidious in her work, spending hours perfecting every detail of her paintings.
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The chef was fastidious about the quality of his ingredients, sourcing only the freshest and most flavorful produce for his dishes.
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The lawyer was fastidious in his research, leaving no stone unturned in his quest for information to support his case.
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The architect was fastidious in his designs, paying attention to every element of the building’s structure and aesthetics.
Usage
The word “fastidious” is an adjective that describes someone who has a meticulous attention to detail, a strong desire for cleanliness, and an unwillingness to compromise on quality. It can be used to describe a person who is excessively picky or particular about things, or who demands perfection in every aspect of their life. For example, you might describe someone as “fastidious” if they spend hours cleaning their house or meticulously arranging their wardrobe.
One common prefix used with “fastidious” is “over-”, as in “overfastidious”. This prefix intensifies the meaning of the word, suggesting that the person’s attention to detail is excessive or obsessive. For example, you might describe someone as “overfastidious” if they spend an inordinate amount of time cleaning or organizing, to the point where it interferes with their daily life.
Another common suffix used with “fastidious” is “-ness”, as in “fastidiousness”. This suffix turns the adjective into a noun, allowing it to be used to describe a person’s characteristic or quality. For example, you might say that someone’s fastidiousness is a reflection of their attention to detail and desire for perfection.
There are also several related words and variations of “fastidious” that are worth noting. For example, “fastidiously” is an adverb that describes someone who is meticulous or particular in their actions or behaviors. “Fastidiousness” is a noun that refers to the quality or characteristic of being fastidious. “Unfastidious” is an adjective that describes someone who is not picky or particular about things, or who is willing to compromise on quality or cleanliness. And “fastidium” is a rare noun that refers to a feeling of disgust or loathing towards something that is perceived as unclean or untidy.