Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

pernicketiness

noun
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

Share pernicketiness

Resources for pernicketiness

Cite Time Traveler Time Traveler! Explore the year a word first appeared

Dictionary Entries near pernicketiness

pernicious

pernicious anemia

pernicious scale

pernicketiness

pernickety

Pernik

pernine

Statistics for pernicketiness

Look-up Popularity

Comments on pernicketiness

What made you want to look up pernicketiness? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

linchpin

one that holds something together

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz

  • the-triumph-of-venus-by-alessandro-magnasco
  • Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
True or False

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

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

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