SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus

pernicketiness

noun
Save Word
per·​nick·​e·​ti·​ness | \ pə(r)ˈnikət|ēnə̇s, -kət|, |in- \
plural -es

Definition of pernicketiness

: the quality or state of being pernickety : finicality, fastidiousness pernicketiness and refinement, resulting in a sterile preciosity— Michael Williams

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Learn More About pernicketiness

Dictionary Entries Near pernicketiness

pernicious scale

pernicketiness

pernickety

See More Nearby Entries 

Statistics for pernicketiness

Cite this Entry

“Pernicketiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pernicketiness. Accessed 8 Aug. 2022.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

crepuscular

Listen to the pronunciation of crepuscular

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Challenging Words You Should Know

  • hedgehog reading a book
  • Often used to describe “the march of time,” what does inexorable mean?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games