adj
pedantic
puh-DAN-tihk
adj
1
Overly focused on formal rules, minor details, or technical correctness, often to an annoying degree.
"His pedantic insistence on perfect grammar made the meeting drag on."
"She gave a pedantic correction about the exact date instead of answering the real question."
How to Use Pedantic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNit-picky and overly concerned with minor rules or details, in a way that misses the bigger picture.
Common mistake
It's almost always used negatively — calling someone pedantic is a criticism, not a compliment.
Common pairings
pedantic argument
pedantic about grammar
sound pedantic
Word Forms
more pedantic comparative, most pedantic superlative
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His _____ insistence on perfect grammar made the meeting drag on.
Etymology
From "pedant" (someone who shows off learning or fusses over rules) plus the adjective ending "-ic."