methodical

adjective

me·​thod·​i·​cal mə-ˈthä-di-kəl 

variants or less commonly methodic

mə-ˈthä-dik 

1

: arranged, characterized by, or performed with method or order

a methodical treatment of the subject

2

: habitually proceeding according to method : systematic

methodical in his daily routine

a methodical worker

methodically

mə-ˈthä-di-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

methodicalness

mə-ˈthä-di-kəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of methodical

• systematic
• organized
• systematized

Examples of methodical in a Sentence

Their methodical review of the evidence exposed some problems with the study's findings.

She's a slow and methodical worker, and her drawings reflect the extra care she takes.

Recent Examples on the Web

For quite some time, the repetitive daily schedule was comforting for a methodical person such as myself. —Des Moines Register, 29 Mar. 2026

Considering how the World Baseball Classic impacted Webb’s typically methodical buildup to the season, the Giants will likely want to keep their ace on a normal schedule. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026

The slippage has been methodical, which raises its own kind of alarms for Republicans. —Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 26 Mar. 2026

The Shark Navigator brings high-end precision to everyday floor care with its SmartPath LiDAR technology, which maps your home in real-time to ensure a methodical, row-by-row clean. —Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for methodical

• periodical

Kids Definition

methodical

adjective

me·​thod·​i·​cal mə-ˈthäd-i-kəl 

1

: marked by or performed or arranged by method or order

a methodical search

2

: being in the habit of following a method : systematic

a methodical teacher

methodically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

methodicalness

-i-kəl-nəs 

noun