Finicky — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈfi-ni-kē/ fin·icky

Meaning & Definition of Finicky

Finicky (adjective)

  1. extremely or excessively particular, exacting, or meticulous in taste or standards
  2. requiring much care, precision, or attentive effort

Finicky (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. hard to please

    "cats have a reputation for being finicky eaters"

    similar: choosy, dainty, delicate, demanding, exacting, fastidious, finical, finicking, fussbudgety, fussy, nice, old-maidish, particular, pernickety (chiefly British), persnickety, picky
    related: hyperfastidious, overdemanding, ultrafastidious, discerning, discriminating, selective, insightful, knowledgeable, captious, carping, caviling, critical, faultfinding, hypercritical, overcritical, careful, meticulous, painstaking, punctilious, scrupulous, queasy, squeamish, peevish, petulant, prickly, touchy, niminy-piminy, prim, prissy
    opposite: undemanding, unfastidious, unfussy
    near: affable, breezy, carefree, devil-may-care, happy-go-lucky, lackadaisical, laid-back, low-pressure, relaxed, flexible, lax, loose, lenient, permissive, uncritical, indiscriminating, undiscriminating

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Finicky

The most common words with a similar meaning to Finicky:

Chiefly British: pernickety
choosy, dainty, delicate, demanding, exacting, fastidious, finical, finicking, fussbudgety, fussy, nice, old-maidish, particular, persnickety, picky

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Finicky

Words with the opposite meaning of Finicky:

undemanding, unfastidious, unfussy

Related Words for Finicky

hyperfastidious, overdemanding, ultrafastidious, discerning, discriminating, selective, insightful, knowledgeable, captious, carping, caviling, critical, faultfinding, hypercritical, overcritical, careful, meticulous, painstaking, punctilious, scrupulous, queasy, squeamish, peevish, petulant, prickly, touchy, niminy-piminy, prim, prissy

Near Antonyms of Finicky

affable, breezy, carefree, devil-may-care, happy-go-lucky, lackadaisical, laid-back, low-pressure, relaxed, flexible, lax, loose, lenient, permissive, uncritical, indiscriminating, undiscriminating

Word Forms of Finicky

Derived words: finickiness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Finicky

alteration of finicking

First known use: circa 1825

Frequently Asked Questions about Finicky

What does "Finicky" mean?

"Finicky" means extremely or excessively particular, exacting, or meticulous in taste or standards. As an adjective, it is defined as: extremely or excessively particular, exacting, or meticulous in taste or standards.

What is another word for "Finicky"?

Other words for "Finicky" include choosy, dainty, delicate, demanding, exacting, fastidious, finical and finicking. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Finicky" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Finicky"?

There are 45 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Finicky". Common alternatives include choosy, dainty, delicate, demanding, exacting, fastidious, finical, finicking, fussbudgety and fussy.

What is the opposite of "Finicky"?

Antonyms of "Finicky" include undemanding, unfastidious and unfussy. Near antonyms include affable, breezy, carefree and devil-may-care.

How do you use "Finicky" in a sentence?

Examples of "Finicky" in a sentence: "cats have a reputation for being finicky eaters".

Is "Finicky" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Finicky" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Finicky"?

"Finicky" is pronounced /ˈfi-ni-kē/ and divided into syllables as fin·icky.

What is the origin of the word "Finicky"?

"Finicky" comes from alteration of finicking. First known use: circa 1825.