What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pedant
Example
The professor was a pedant, always correcting students' grammar and pronunciation. [pedant: noun]
Example
She was accused of being pedantic when she insisted on using the correct scientific terminology. [pedantic: adjective]
perfectionist
Example
He's a perfectionist when it comes to his artwork, spending hours on every detail. [perfectionist: noun]
Example
She has a perfectionist attitude towards her job, always striving to do better. [perfectionist: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Perfectionist is more commonly used than pedant in everyday language. Perfectionist is a positive trait that is often admired, while pedant can have negative connotations of being overly focused on minor details.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pedant and perfectionist?
Pedant is typically associated with a more formal tone, while perfectionist can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
