English Explanatory Dictionary

finicky

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Fastidious and fussy; difficult to please; exacting, especially about details.
  2. Demanding; requiring above-normal care.

Pronunciation

/ˈfɪnɪki/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-finicky.wav

Word forms

finicky finickier more finicky finickiest most finicky

Etymology

From finick (“to work in a fastidious manner, wasting time over unnecessary details”) + -y. Compare finicking, finical, and dated finikin. Perhaps suggested by obsolete Dutch fijnkens (“accurately, neatly, prettily”) (modern Dutch fijntjes). Compare also Sicilian finicchiu.

Synonyms

exacting fastidious fussy meticulous particular picky anal-retentive choosy conscientious dainty finical finicking finickity finicky finikin hypercritical lily-handed niggly nitpickish nit-picky nitty overcritical overscrupulous pedantic pernickety persnickety

Derived words

finickily finickiness finickity unfinicky
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