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fastidious Definition

fas·tidi·ous (fa stid′ē əs, fə-)

adjective

  1. not easy to please; very critical or discriminating
  2. refined in a too dainty or oversensitive way, so as to be easily disgusted

Etymology: ME < L fastidiosus < fastidium, a loathing, disgust < fastus, disdain, contempt, pride (< ? IE base *bhars-, projection, point, bristle) + taedium: see tedium

fastidious Related Forms

fas·tid′i·ously adverb fas·tid′i·ous·ness noun

fastidious Synonyms

fastidious

modif.

squeamish, overnice, meticulous; see careful, particular 3, squeamish. See syn. study at particular.

fastidious Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • taste: The most fastidious tastes will be most charmed with such verses as these.. ... .
  • attention: Our fastidious attention to detail is matched only by your own.
  • approach: I would not, for example, expect an overly fastidious approach to objectivity from the Murdoch media empire.
  • reader: The British Library copy shows signs of a rather fastidious reader.
  • owner: Continental touches can be noticed in the excellent presentation, that reflects the good taste of the fastidious owners.
  • man: The deceased, he explains, was " a fastidious man.

Modifying Another Word

  • too: I was uneasy to think myself too fastidious, whilst I fancied Dr. Johnson quite satisfied.
  • very: I'm normally very fastidious about citing my sources on this blog.
  • so: We hear he is so fastidious about the branch's funds that he adds to them every time he finds coins on the floor.
  • particularly: California is particularly fastidious in ensuring that drivers can see the current state of a traffic light.
  • overly: I would not, for example, expect an overly fastidious approach to objectivity from the Murdoch media empire.
  • quite: Guinea pigs are quite fastidious in their diet, and any sudden alteration in their diet may mean they stop eating.