picky
PIH-kee
Picky (adj) means Hard to please; fussy about details and demanding that things be exactly right. Example: “She's picky about coffee and won't drink anything from a machine.”
adj
1
Hard to please; fussy about details and demanding that things be exactly right.
"She's picky about coffee and won't drink anything from a machine."
"He was too picky when choosing a flat and ended up with nothing."
"Most of the pickiest children were actually in the middle weight group, though a few were underweight and a few were overweight."
— Perri Klass, When New Means No: Picky Eating as a Normal Toddler Phase (2018)
"I am very picky about the way my kitchen is laid out."
How to use picky
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing overly selective or hard to satisfy, especially about small details.
Common mistake
Usually mildly negative — it suggests someone is fussier than necessary, not just careful.
Common pairings
a picky eater
picky about details
too picky
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Word forms
- Plural
- pickies
- Comparative
- pickier
- Superlative
- pickiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She's _____ about coffee and won't drink anything from a machine.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for picky
See all rhymes for picky →Frequently asked questions
What does “picky” mean?
The word “picky” means hard to please; fussy about details and demanding that things be exactly right. In plain terms, being overly selective or hard to satisfy, especially about small details.
How do you pronounce “picky”?
“Picky” is pronounced PIH-kee (/ˈpɪki/ in IPA).
How do you use “picky” in a sentence?
Here is “picky” used in a sentence: “She's picky about coffee and won't drink anything from a machine.”
What is another word for “picky”?
Words with a similar meaning to “picky” include anal-retentive, choosy, finicky, fussy, particular and pedantic.
What part of speech is “picky”?
“Picky” is an adjective.
Is “picky” a common word?
“Picky” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
