persnickety meaningParticular significance is reasonably difficult to understand. It refers to someone who is extremely selective and disapproving. A persnickety individual tends to be meticulous and does not settle for less when it comes to expectations and excellence. Their fastidious nature can be seen as admirable, but it can also magnify unwarranted censure and avoidable dissatisfaction. Being persnickety is regularly linked to exact focus on specifics but can also be seen as a type of pedantry.