persnickety EnglishFrench Dictionary WordReferencecomPersnickety importance is somewhat difficult to understand. It refers to someone who is exceedingly choosy and disapproving. A persnickety individual usually be fastidious and does not settle for less when it comes to expectations and perfection. Their meticulousness can be seen as admirable, but it can also lead to overly demanding censure and unnecessary dissatisfaction. Being persnickety is frequently related to precise attention to detail but can also be seen as a type of perfectionism.