finicky

adjective

fin·​icky ˈfi-ni-kē 

1

: extremely or excessively particular, exacting, or meticulous in taste or standards

a finicky eater

My teacher is finicky about spelling.

2

: requiring much care, precision, or attentive effort

a finicky recipe

… growing the finicky Pinot Noir grape …

—Kim Marcus

finickiness noun

Did you know?

If you're a reader of a certain age (say, a Boomer, Gen Xer, or even a Xennial) you may remember cheeky television commercials featuring Morris, a finicky housecat who only eats a certain brand of cat food. (Morris is still featured on product labels.) Morris's tastes in cuisine are not only very particular, but very fine as well, and that's appropriate given the origin of finicky. The word came about in the early 19th century as an alteration of the synonymous finicking, itself a 17th century alteration of another synonym, finical, which in turn is a late 16th century coinage likely derived from the adjective fine.

Synonyms of finicky

• careful
• nice
• persnickety
• picky
• particular
• fussy
• fastidious
• demanding
• choosy
• exacting
• pernickety
• delicate
• finical
• dainty
• meticulous
• selective

Examples of finicky in a Sentence

My teacher is finicky about grammar.

a complicated and finicky recipe

Recent Examples on the Web

The restaurant, which has held its Michelin star for more than 20 years—no small feat in the finicky world of fine dining—continues to draw diners with seasonal course menus, shaped by local suppliers and produce from the estate gardens, as well as its service and sense of occasion. —Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026

Its finicky drainage needs are easier to manage in a pot, and lavender always looks fantastic in a large terra-cotta planter. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 June 2026

Scott finds one benefit to be the guarantee of a predictable schedule, as opposed to potentially finicky and expensive Ubers or other local transportation. —Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2026

Unpredictable hours, loud noises, finicky clients, wrenches, needles. —Jane Bua, New Yorker, 1 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of finicking

First Known Use

circa 1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

finicky

adjective

fin·​icky ˈfin-i-kē 

: very hard to please : fussy

a finicky eater

finickiness noun