What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fastidious
Example
She was fastidious about keeping her house clean. [fastidious: adjective]
Example
The chef was fastidious in his preparation of the meal. [fastidious: adjective]
finicky
Example
He's so finicky about what he eats, it's hard to find a restaurant that he likes. [finicky: adjective]
Example
The client was very finicky about the design of the website. [finicky: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Finicky is more commonly used than fastidious in everyday language. Finicky is a more casual word that is used to describe people who are picky or difficult to please, while fastidious is a more formal word that is used to describe people who are very attentive to detail and cleanliness.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fastidious and finicky?
Fastidious is a more formal word than finicky. It is often used in professional or academic contexts to describe people who have high standards and expectations for themselves and others. Finicky, on the other hand, is a more casual word that is used in everyday language to describe people who are picky or difficult to please.
