ENGLISH
REFERENCE

picky

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈpɪki// UK //pˈɪki// picky Informal

adj. very careful about what you choose and only liking specific things. You use this when someone is hard to please because they have high standards.

adj. extremely selective or fastidious; difficult to please due to exacting standards. Often carries a slightly critical or negative connotation.


SIMPLE

My cat is very picky about what brand of food she eats.

CONTEXTUAL

The hiring manager is notoriously picky, often rejecting dozens of qualified candidates for minor resume errors.

COMPLEX

While some critics are accused of being overly picky about technical flaws, others argue that maintaining such high standards is essential for the integrity of the industry.

Synonyms
Origin

From pick + -y.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'about' when specifying the object of the selectivity.

Pitfall

He is very picky for his clothesHe is very picky about his clothesThe adjective 'picky' collocations with 'about' rather than 'for' when describing the area of concern.

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