fastidious

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "fastidious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe someone who is extremely attentive to details or someone who is excessively concerned about cleanliness or proper behavior. Example sentence: My fastidious coworker meticulously organizes all of our office supplies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In return, it should be said, he demanded the same level of fastidious professionalism from collaborators, and a hallmark of his work is the outstanding quality of his fellow workers.

The Guardian

He is fastidious, he has got an eye for detail, margins matter to him.

The Guardian - Sport

A neat dresser, fastidious diner and devotee of wine and champagne, Arthur bought a property near Grasse, in Provence, and visited it frequently, preferably when he could watch English football on the satellite dish with a link provided, he claimed, by "a man in a Leicester attic".

The Guardian

And yet, at the same time, there is a certain fastidious abstraction; a lawyer's critical distance that for the most part will not allow him to indulge in the kind of tub-thumping that can win you high office, and then keep you in it.

The Guardian

He kept fastidious records, registering his name and address changes, lodging tax returns.

The Guardian

Margaret Thatcher's legacy is divisive, but never that bad within her party and she was a fastidious respecter of party procedures.

The Guardian

And what would the Sunnis in Iraq's centre gain once partition cut them off from Iraq's oil riches?As for America being less fastidious about democracy, this sounds commendably realistic.

The Economist

The Chinese, less fastidious than most Westerners about human rights or contracts, have been most active.In this section Unloved for trying to keep the peace A beacon of faiths Half horrid, half hopeful A ruling party that is unshockable An alternative to violence?

The Economist

A man who cheated on one of his three wives while seeking to impeach Mr Clinton over the Lewinsky affair, and divorced another when she was in hospital with cancer, is bound to repel the more fastidious sort of voter.

The Economist

The fastidious plumbers of Belarus The descent into another Balkan war Europe's presidential race: the form Reprints Related topics World Bank Europe European politics World politics UkraineMaking the mines competitive would cause social carnage.

The Economist

Fiddling with the little brushes, fine powders and sticky tape can test the patience of the most fastidious crime-scene investigator.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fastidious" to describe a person or process that pays close attention to detail, especially when cleanliness or order is involved. It adds a layer of sophistication to your description compared to simpler terms like 'careful'.

Common error

Avoid using "fastidious" to simply mean 'enthusiastic' or 'eager'. "Fastidious" specifically relates to attention to detail and cleanliness, not general excitement. For expressing enthusiasm, consider words like "eager", "keen", or "enthusiastic".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "fastidious" primarily functions to describe nouns, indicating a strong attention to detail, particularly concerning cleanliness or order. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in describing individuals and their behaviors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "fastidious" is a grammatically correct adjective widely used to describe someone or something that is meticulous and attentive to detail, especially concerning cleanliness and order. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It's very common in news and media sources. When using "fastidious", remember that it's more about attention to detail and cleanliness than general enthusiasm. Alternative words include "meticulous", "exacting", and "scrupulous". The linguistic analysis indicates it serves to convey meticulousness and high standards in a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meticulous

Focuses on extreme attention to detail.

exacting

Emphasizes strictness in requirements or standards.

scrupulous

Highlights moral or ethical precision.

fussy

Indicates excessive concern about trivial details.

particular

Stresses being selective or discriminating.

demanding

Implies requiring high standards or effort.

perfectionistic

Focuses on the pursuit of flawlessness.

precise

Highlights accuracy and exactness.

critical

Indicates a tendency to find fault.

discriminating

Emphasizes refined taste or judgment.

FAQs

How to use "fastidious" in a sentence?

You can use "fastidious" to describe someone who is excessively attentive to details or cleanliness. For example: "The "fastidious chef" ensured every dish was perfectly presented".

What can I say instead of "fastidious"?

You can use alternatives like "meticulous", "exacting", or "scrupulous" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "fastidious" or "fussy"?

"Fastidious" implies a careful attention to detail and cleanliness, while "fussy" suggests being overly concerned with minor details to the point of being difficult to please. "Fastidious" often carries a more positive connotation than "fussy".

What's the difference between "fastidious" and "meticulous"?

Both "fastidious" and "meticulous" describe attention to detail, but "fastidious" often includes an element of concern for cleanliness or order, while "meticulous" focuses solely on thoroughness and precision.