Finicky
/ˈfɪnɪki/
Definition
The meaning: Finicky is an adjective used to describe someone who is very particular or fussy about details, especially regarding food or preferences. It often implies a level of difficulty in satisfying the person's tastes or requirements.
La signification: Cet adjectif est utilisé pour décrire quelqu'un qui est très pointilleux ou difficile en ce qui concerne les détails, notamment en matière de nourriture ou de préférences. Cela implique souvent un niveau de difficulté à satisfaire les goûts ou les exigences de cette personne.
Note: This term is commonly used to describe people who are hard to please or have very specific likes and dislikes.
Word Analysis
French synonyms
» Pointilleux
» Minutieux
» Tatillon
» Difficile à satisfaire
» Faire la fine bouche
A: Il est très difficile avec la nourriture, il ne mange que des plats spécifiques.
B: Oui, c'est vrai qu'il est compliqué !
English synonyms
» Fussy
» Picky
» Hard to please
» Particular
A: She only eats organic food and won't touch anything else. She's super finicky.
B: Definitely, she has very exacting standards!
Dialogue
Mohau: "My cat won’t eat the new food I bought her."
Lebona: "Sounds like she’s being finicky again."
Mohau: "Yeah, she only likes the expensive stuff."
Lebona: "Typical. Cats are so choosy about everything."
Etymology
Origin: The adjective finicky describes someone or something excessively particular or fussy, especially about small details. It derives from the earlier term "finical," which appeared in the late 16th century, meaning "overly precise" or "fastidious." "Finical" itself likely stems from "fine," in the sense of refinement or delicacy, with a suffix suggesting an exaggerated quality. By the 19th century, "finicky" emerged in American English as a more casual, widely used variant, often applied to picky eaters or choosy behavior.
Audience
The adjective "finicky" is commonly used in informal and semi-formal contexts to describe someone or something overly picky or particular. It is a well-recognized term in American English, often employed as a mild critique of fastidiousness or fussiness. You’ll hear it in everyday conversations, especially when talking about preferences or habits.
When to use: Use "finicky" when describing someone or something that’s excessively choosy or hard to please, often over small details. For example: "She’s so finicky about her coffee—it has to be just right," or "This printer is finicky; it jams if the paper isn’t perfectly aligned." While it’s mostly casual, it can appear in lighthearted formal writing, though it’s less common in serious or technical contexts.
Dictionary Meaning
Cambridge says the word refers to "too much concerned with detail" Here's a provided example of use:
'She is a very finicky person.'
News Snippet
"The cherry is a finicky fruit, a diva, if it were a shoe it would be Gucci, and it is surprising that any make it to the table at all when you think of all its foes and onerous demands; it is rather like having Madonna to stay, special water, special pillow etc."
Read the full article at The Daily Maverick
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Common Idioms & Expressions Related to "Finicky"
Picky Eater
Refers to someone who is very selective about what they eat, often avoiding certain foods.
Example: "My son is such a picky eater; he only likes plain pasta."
Fussy About Details
Describes a person who pays excessive attention to small details, often to the point of annoyance.
Example: "She's fussy about details; everything must be perfect in her projects."
Hard to Please
Used to describe someone who is rarely satisfied and has high standards.
Example: "He’s hard to please, always finding something wrong with the service."
Particular About Something
Indicates someone who has specific preferences and is not easily satisfied.
Example: "She’s particular about her coffee; it has to be brewed just right."
Finicky About Cleanliness
Refers to someone who is overly concerned with cleanliness and tidiness.
Example: "He’s finicky about cleanliness; he cleans his desk every hour."
Choosy
Describes someone who is very selective and discriminating in their choices.
Example: "She’s choosy when it comes to clothes; she only buys designer brands."
Finical
Refers to someone who is excessively particular or fussy about details.
Example: "His finical nature made it hard to work on group projects."
Fussbudget
Describes a person who is overly fussy or particular, often concerning trivial matters.
Example: "She’s such a fussbudget; she gets upset over the smallest things."
Fussiness
The quality of being fussy or overly particular.
Example: "His fussiness about food made dining out difficult."
Fusspot
A person who is excessively fussy or particular, often about trivial matters.
Example: "Don’t be such a fusspot; it’s just a little mess."
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