VocabDictionary

fastidious

/fæˈstɪdiəs/advanced Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail; excessively particular, demanding, or hard to please.

Example Sentences:
  • The historian was fastidious in checking every single reference and citation.
  • Despite her fastidious cleaning habits, the apartment always seemed to need one more sweep.
2.adjective

Very concerned about matters of cleanliness; easily disgusted or squeamish.

Example Sentences:
  • Cats are notoriously fastidious creatures, constantly grooming themselves.
  • He was fastidious about what he ate, avoiding any restaurant with less than a stellar health rating.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “fastidious”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'fastidiosus', meaning 'disgusted' or 'dainty', from 'fastidium', meaning 'loathing' or 'aversion' (traditionally associated with 'fastus', meaning arrogance). Over time, the meaning shifted from a sense of disgust or squeamishness to extreme attention to detail and cleanliness.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Fastidious people move FAST to TIDY UP because they are extremely fussy about cleanliness.

Frequently Asked Questions About “fastidious

1. What is the meaning of “fastidious” in English?

In English, fastidious (adjective) is defined as: “Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail; excessively particular, demanding, or hard to please.”.

2. How do you use “fastidious” in a sentence?

The historian was fastidious in checking every single reference and citation.

3. What are English synonyms of “fastidious”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “fastidious”?

Derived from the Latin 'fastidiosus', meaning 'disgusted' or 'dainty', from 'fastidium', meaning 'loathing' or 'aversion' (traditionally associated with 'fastus', meaning arrogance). Over time, the meaning shifted from a sense of disgust or squeamishness to extreme attention to detail and cleanliness.