Word
punctilious
Phoneticspunc·til·ious
US/pəŋkˈtɪɫiəs/
UK/pʌŋktˈɪlɪəs/
Definition
adj. very careful about behaving correctly or following small rules exactly. You use this to describe someone who pays great attention to every tiny detail.
adj. showing great attention to detail or correct behaviour; extremely careful to follow conventions and rules.
Examples
“He is punctilious about keeping his desk perfectly organized.”
“The diplomat was punctilious in his observance of local customs, ensuring that no guest felt slighted during the ceremony.”
“Her punctilious approach to the archival process ensured that every document was catalogued with a level of precision that future historians would find invaluable.”
Examples
simple
“He is punctilious about keeping his desk perfectly organized.”
contextual
“The diplomat was punctilious in his observance of local customs, ensuring that no guest felt slighted during the ceremony.”
complex
“Her punctilious approach to the archival process ensured that every document was catalogued with a level of precision that future historians would find invaluable.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “punctilious” in context.
Verb
01. punctilious about etiquette
“The ambassador was punctilious about etiquette at state dinners.”
adj + prep + noun
02. punctilious in manner
“The old professor was formal and punctilious in manner.”
adj + prep + noun
03. remain punctilious
“Despite the chaos, the staff remained punctilious about hygiene.”
verb + adj
Adjective
04. excessively punctilious
“Critics found the inspector excessively punctilious about minor rules.”
adv + adj
05. meticulously punctilious
“As head butler, he was meticulously punctilious about dress and timing.”
adv + adj
06. scrupulously punctilious
“She is scrupulously punctilious in all her business dealings.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. punctilious attention
“She gives punctilious attention to every clause in the contract.”
adj + noun
08. punctilious courtesy
“He treated every guest with punctilious courtesy.”
adj + noun
09. punctilious observance
“The regiment is known for punctilious observance of protocol.”
adj + noun
10. maintain punctilious standards of conduct
“The firm maintains punctilious standards of conduct for its partners.”
11. pay punctilious attention to detail
“Good editors pay punctilious attention to detail.”
12. punctilious in observing protocol
“The delegation was punctilious in observing diplomatic protocol.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'about' or 'in'.
Real-World Examples
“His use of evidence, absorbed from vast archival sources and hundreds of interviews, is punctilious, his judgments measured, his wit dry and sympathetic, his prose classically balanced.” Etymology
From the mid-17th century, formed from punctilio plus the suffix -ous. The root punctilio enters English from the Italian puntiglio, a diminutive of the Latin punctum, describing a fine point in exactness of conduct or a petty detail of honour. The term fixed itself in the language to characterise those preoccupied with the smallest particularities of social or professional ritual.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Rare
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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