meticulous
/mɨˈtɪkjuləs/
Group 9Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise GRE
Example in Context
The meticulous reconstruction of events leading up to the incident took investigators months but eventually revealed the chain of errors responsible.
Synonyms
detailedprecisethorough
Etymology
Derived from a word meaning fearful, emphasizing the careful attention to detail.
- meticulus (Latin) — fearful
Memory Aid
🧸Sounds like “me ticklish”
When I’m ticklish, I’m METICULOUS about avoiding every feather!
Visual Association
🔍A scientist peering through a magnifying glass, examining every tiny detail of a specimen.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “meticulous” mean on the GRE?
meticulous (adjective) means “Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise”. The meticulous reconstruction of events leading up to the incident took investigators months but eventually revealed the chain of errors responsible.
How to remember “meticulous” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “meticulous” sounds like “me ticklish”. When I’m ticklish, I’m METICULOUS about avoiding every feather!
What are synonyms for “meticulous”?
Common synonyms: detailed, precise, thorough.