What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
punctilio
Example
He was known for his punctilio when it came to following the company's dress code. [punctilio: noun]
Example
She observed every punctilio of the ceremony, from the order of procession to the placement of the flowers. [punctilios: plural noun]
nicety
Example
The artist paid attention to every nicety in the painting, from the brushstrokes to the color palette. [nicety: noun]
Example
She appreciated the niceties of the language, such as the use of idioms and metaphors. [niceties: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nicety is more commonly used than punctilio in everyday language. Nicety is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while punctilio is less common and refers to a strict adherence to formalities or codes of conduct.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between punctilio and nicety?
Punctilio is typically associated with a formal and professional tone, while nicety can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
