punctilious

/pʌɳk'tiliəs/

Thân thiện

He is punctilious about arranging his books in alphabetical order.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Showing great attention to detail or correct behavior: "punctilious" describes someone who is very careful to behave correctly or to follow rules and procedures exactly.
   • Meticulous, scrupulous: It emphasizes a strict, sometimes excessive, observance of formalities or fine points.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • He was punctilious in his manners, never failing to send a thank-you note.
  • The punctilious accountant checked every figure twice.
  • Her punctilious attention to the protocol impressed the diplomats.

Advanced Usage

• "to be punctilious about something": to be very careful and exact regarding a specific matter.
  • She is punctilious about citing all her sources in academic papers.
• "punctilious observance": the careful and exact following of rules or traditions.
  • The ceremony was conducted with punctilious observance of ancient rites.

Variants and Related Words

• Punctiliousness (noun): The quality of being punctilious.
  • His punctiliousness made him an excellent editor.
• Punctilio (noun, formal): A fine point of etiquette or a small detail of procedure.
  • He insisted on every punctilio being followed.

Synonyms

• Meticulous: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
• Scrupulous: Very concerned to avoid doing wrong; diligent and thorough.
• Conscientious: Wishing to do one's work or duty well and thoroughly.
• Exact: Not approximated in any way; precise.

Antonyms

• Careless: Not giving sufficient attention or thought to avoiding harm or errors.
• Negligent: Failing to take proper care in doing something.
• Slapdash: Done too hurriedly and carelessly.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Dot the i's and cross the t's: To be meticulous and precise, especially in completing a task. (This idiom captures the spirit of being punctilious).
  • Before submitting the report, make sure to dot the i's and cross the t's.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. marked by precise accordance with details
   • meticulous research
   • punctilious in his attention to rules of etiquette

Từ đồng nghĩa

• meticulous