persnickety meaningPersnickety definition is fairly difficult to understand. It refers to someone who is vitally picky and fault-finding. A persnickety individual typically nitpick and has high standards when it comes to criteria and excellence. Their attention to detail can be viewed as laudable, but it can also magnify overly demanding disapproval and unnecessary dissatisfaction. Being persnickety is typically linked to detailed attention to detail but can also be seen as a form of pedantry.