hairsplitter

1 of 3

noun (1)

hair·​split·​ter ˈher-ˌspli-tər 

: one that makes excessively fine distinctions in reasoning

hairsplitting

ˈher-ˌspli-tiŋ 

adjective or noun

hairsplitting

2 of 3

adjective

: making excessively fine or trivial distinctions in reasoning

ancient hairsplitting technicalities of special pleading

—Charles Sumner

tricky hairsplitting statesmen

—Weston La Barre

hairsplitting

3 of 3

noun (2)

"

: hairsplitting reasoning or argument

an excessive penchant for intellectual and verbal hairsplitting

—J. W. Beach

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1849, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hairsplitter

• embitter
• emitter
• obiter
• outfitter
• remitter
• submitter
• transmitter
• babysitter
• bitter
• critter
• fitter
• fritter

Kids Definition

hairsplitter

noun

hair·​split·​ter ˈha(ə)r-ˌsplit-ər 

: a person who argues about differences too small to be important

hairsplitting

-ˌsplit-iŋ 

adjective or noun