fastidious
/fæˈstɪdi.əs/
Group 10Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail; very concerned about matters of cleanliness GRE
Example in Context
The fastidious editor caught errors that had escaped the notice of three previous reviewers, including a misattributed quotation.
Synonyms
pickyfussymeticulous
Etymology
Full of disdain for anything not perfectly clean or detailed.
- fastid- (Latin) — disdain
- ious (Latin) — full of
Memory Aid
🧼Sounds like “fast hideous”
A FAST HIDEOUS monster cleans its lair obsessively, leaving no dust behind — it’s FASTIDIOUS!
Visual Association
🧽A monster with a tiny brush meticulously scrubbing every corner of its messy cave, ensuring perfection.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “fastidious” mean on the GRE?
fastidious (adjective) means “Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail; very concerned about matters of cleanliness”. The fastidious editor caught errors that had escaped the notice of three previous reviewers, including a misattributed quotation.
How to remember “fastidious” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “fastidious” sounds like “fast hideous”. A FAST HIDEOUS monster cleans its lair obsessively, leaving no dust behind — it’s FASTIDIOUS!
What are synonyms for “fastidious”?
Common synonyms: picky, fussy, meticulous.