What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
perfectionist
Example
She's such a perfectionist that she spends hours editing her work until it's flawless. [perfectionist: noun]
Example
He's very perfectionistic about his appearance and always wants to look his best. [perfectionistic: adjective]
stickler
Example
He's a stickler for punctuality and gets upset if anyone is even a minute late. [stickler: noun]
Example
She's very stickling about grammar and corrects people's mistakes all the time. [stickling: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Perfectionist is more commonly used than stickler in everyday language. Perfectionist is a more versatile term that can be applied to any area of life, while stickler is more commonly used in specific contexts like rules, regulations, or procedures.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between perfectionist and stickler?
Both perfectionist and stickler are relatively formal terms, but stickler may be perceived as more formal due to its association with rules and regulations.
