# punctilious

/pəŋkˈtɪɫiəs/ (US) · /pʌŋktˈɪlɪəs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/punctilious
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

very careful about behaving correctly or following small rules exactly. You use this to describe someone who pays great attention to every tiny detail.

For teachers: 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.

## Synonyms

meticulous, scrupulous

## Antonyms

careless, lax

## Usage notes

- Often followed by the preposition 'about' or 'in'.

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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.