adjective
methodical
mih-THAH-dih-kuhl
adjective
1
Done in a careful, orderly, step-by-step way.
"The detective took a methodical approach to solving the case."
"She is very methodical when it comes to packing for a trip."
How to Use Methodical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOrganized, careful, and systematic rather than random or rushed.
Common pairings
methodical approach
methodical process
Word Forms
more methodical comparative, most methodical superlative
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The detective took a _____ approach to solving the case.
Etymology
From Greek methodikos ("systematic") + the suffix -al.