Punctilious: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Punctilious adjective. Showing great attention to correct details of behaviour or procedure.
How to say it
punk-TIL-ee-us/pʌŋkˈtɪliəs/
4 syllables, stressed on the second (TIL).
Punctilious in a sentence
Our punctilious host wrote every place card in fountain pen.
She is punctilious about answering each email within a day.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- scrupulous
- meticulous
- conscientious
- precise
Opposite:
- careless
- lax
Where punctilious comes from
From Italian puntiglio, a fine point, from Latin punctum, a point.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
She is _____ about answering each email within a day.
- churlish
- phlegmatic
- punctilious
Show the answer
punctilious: She is punctilious about answering each email within a day.