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

• systematic
• structured
• systematized
• standardized

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

This offense is methodical, with hulking bullies up front and a bellwether back in Jonathan Taylor. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

Jamey VanVliet, special agent in charge with the Nashville ATF office said, their job has been a very methodical and scientific process. —Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 15 Oct. 2025

The 1978 portions of the storytelling are methodical and procedural, at their very best calling to mind David Fincher’s work in Zodiac. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025

But certainly a methodical and coordinated approach beats what’s going on now. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025

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