pedantic
/pəˈdæn.tɪk/
Group 4Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Of or like a pedant; excessively concerned with minor details or rules GRE
Example in Context
The professor's pedantic insistence on citation format over substantive content frustrated students who felt the priorities were misplaced.
Synonyms
nitpickyfussybookish
Etymology
Relates to being overly concerned with teaching or details, like a strict teacher.
- paidos (Greek) — child
- dant- (Latin) — to teach
Memory Aid
🕺Sounds like “pea dance tick”
When you see a PEAS DANCE TICK, you know someone is being overly picky about their veggie dance moves!
Visual Association
📚A strict teacher with a ruler, correcting students for the tiniest mistakes in their work.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “pedantic” mean on the GRE?
pedantic (adjective) means “Of or like a pedant; excessively concerned with minor details or rules”. The professor's pedantic insistence on citation format over substantive content frustrated students who felt the priorities were misplaced.
How to remember “pedantic” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “pedantic” sounds like “pea dance tick”. When you see a PEAS DANCE TICK, you know someone is being overly picky about their veggie dance moves!
What are synonyms for “pedantic”?
Common synonyms: nitpicky, fussy, bookish.