# picky

/ˈpɪki/ (US) · /pˈɪki/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/picky
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

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.

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

## Examples

- My cat is very picky about what brand of food she eats.
- The hiring manager is notoriously picky, often rejecting dozens of qualified candidates for minor resume errors.
- 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is very picky for his clothes" but "He is very picky about his clothes" — The adjective 'picky' collocations with 'about' rather than 'for' when describing the area of concern.

## Usage notes

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.