What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pernickety
Example
My boss is so pernickety that he always finds something to criticize. [pernickety: adjective]
Example
She's very pernickety about how her clothes are folded. [pernickety: adjective]
fastidious
Example
He's fastidious about his grooming and always looks impeccable. [fastidious: adjective]
Example
She's a fastidious editor who catches even the smallest errors. [fastidious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fastidious is more commonly used than pernickety in everyday language, especially in American English. Fastidious is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pernickety is less common and has a more limited scope.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between pernickety and fastidious?
While both pernickety and fastidious can be used in formal and informal contexts, fastidious is generally considered more formal due to its Latin origin and broader scope.
