meticulous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'meticulous' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means to be very careful, precise and accurate. You can use it in any sentence to describe someone who pays attention to every detail and is fussy. For example: The artist was meticulous in her painting, taking care to make sure every brush stroke was exactly perfect.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was finally forced to admit his guilt due to a "meticulous and impressive" police operation, with help from British, American and Pakistani intelligence, Mr Justice Butterfield, the judge, was told.

The Guardian

Both sides had a loyal following, but it was Piketty whose meticulous examination of the evidence, seemed to provide the impartial proof audiences were craving.

The Guardian - Money

That is a small example of a meticulous work ethic‚ "a familiar blend of sports science, psychology, painstaking preparation and innovation on the training ground all aimed at eking the best from a squad, which cost around £8.5m to construct".

The Guardian - Sport

The duo's meticulous year-round tracking of ward byelections is easy to mock, but it is the only way in which the polls that so obsess Westminster can be checked against real votes.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I am a very meticulous person and I am ideally suited to software testing," he said.

The Guardian - Business

The notes show the meticulous preparation the Labour leader had undertaken ahead of the debate and the extent to which some of his phrases were wellrehearsed lines.

The Guardian

Greenwald has reported in a very careful, meticulous way.

The Guardian

When I was at boarding school she was meticulous about turning up to school functions but always had a file of paperwork to sign or read when there was a lull in proceedings.

The Guardian

"This is a slow and painstaking process involving forensic examination, photographing the scene and recovering exhibits in meticulous detail in order to preserve the evidence," it said.

The Guardian

"We believe that the work that the commission conducted during the course of almost three years, which culminated in this report, was thorough, careful and meticulous.

The Guardian

The meticulous preparation paid off, for a while, but Brown's political fall was put off for just another year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "meticulous", ensure the context involves not just attention to detail, but also a high degree of precision and care. For example, "meticulous planning" suggests careful and precise preparation, not just any planning.

Common error

Avoid using "meticulous" in very casual settings where a simpler term like "careful" or "thorough" would suffice. Overusing sophisticated vocabulary can sometimes sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "meticulous" primarily functions as a descriptive modifier, enhancing nouns by specifying a high degree of attention to detail and precision. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, affirming its grammatical role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "meticulous" describes a high degree of attention to detail and precision. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and academic writing. While synonyms like "thorough" and "precise" exist, "meticulous" emphasizes care and exactness. When using "meticulous", ensure the context warrants its sophisticated tone and avoid overuse in informal settings. Examples from The Guardian and The Economist illustrate its authoritative usage, cementing its place in formal English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

painstaking

Highlights the effort and diligence involved, where "meticulous" focuses on the accuracy of the result.

precise

Focuses on accuracy and exactness, lacking the connotation of care and effort implied by "meticulous".

thorough

Emphasizes completeness and exhaustiveness, differing from "meticulous" which highlights precision.

attentive to detail

A more descriptive phrase that directly points out the focus on details, without implying the same level of fastidiousness as "meticulous".

exact

Stresses accuracy and precision but lacks the implication of carefulness inherent in "meticulous".

scrupulous

Suggests a strong adherence to principles or standards, more than a general attention to detail as with "meticulous".

fastidious

Implies a higher level of concern for cleanliness and order, whereas "meticulous" is more general.

rigorous

Indicates strictness and thoroughness, but not necessarily the fine attention to detail implied by "meticulous".

conscientious

Emphasizes a moral aspect of being careful and dutiful, which is not always present in "meticulous".

careful

A more general term that can encompass a wide range of attentiveness, whereas "meticulous" suggests a high degree of precision.

FAQs

How can I use "meticulous" in a sentence?

You can use "meticulous" to describe someone or something that shows great attention to detail. For example, "The detective conducted a "meticulous investigation"" or "She is known for her "meticulous record keeping"".

What are some synonyms for "meticulous"?

Some synonyms for "meticulous" include "careful", "precise", "thorough", and "painstaking". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "meticulous" to describe a person?

Yes, it is perfectly correct to use "meticulous" to describe a person. It suggests that they are very careful and attentive to detail in their work or habits. For example, "He is a "meticulous craftsman"".

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

"Meticulous" implies a high degree of precision and attention to detail, while "thorough" suggests completeness and exhaustiveness. A "thorough" search covers everything, while a "meticulous" search examines everything very carefully.