# meticulous

**Pronunciation:** /məˈtɪkjələs/ · muh-TIK-yuh-lus

**CEFR level:** C1

**Part of speech:** adjective

## Meaning

Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.

## Examples

- Her meticulous planning ensured that the event ran smoothly.
- He was known for his meticulous research methods.
- The watchmaker's meticulous work required incredible patience and skill.

## Synonyms

- careful — General caution.
- thorough — Covers all aspects; complete.
- conscientious — Diligent and careful to do what is right.
- scrupulous — Extremely attentive to details and correctness, often with a moral dimension.

## Antonyms

- careless — Lacking attention or caution.
- sloppy — Untidy and lacking care.
- hasty — Done with excessive speed or urgency; careless.

## Common patterns

- meticulous about — Being very careful or precise regarding a specific thing or area. — She is very meticulous about her appearance.
- meticulous in — Being very careful or precise in a certain activity or manner. — He was meticulous in his approach to the problem.

## Collocations

- meticulous attention to detail — The surgeon's meticulous attention to detail saved the patient's life.
- meticulous planning — Their meticulous planning for the expedition paid off.
- meticulous research — The historian's meticulous research uncovered new facts about the war.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/meticulous

[Browse the English learner dictionary](https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english)
