Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [nit pik-ing]
- /nɪt ˈpɪk ɪŋ/
- /nɪt pɪk/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
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- [nit pik-ing]
- /nɪt ˈpɪk ɪŋ/
Definitions of nit-picking word
- verb without object nit-picking to be excessively concerned with or critical of inconsequential details. 1
- verb with object nit-picking to criticize by focusing on inconsequential details. 1
- noun nit-picking a carping, petty criticism. 1
- adjective nit-picking of, relating to, or characteristic of a nitpicker or nitpicking. 1
- noun nit-picking a concern with insignificant details, esp with the intention of finding fault 0
- adjective nit-picking showing such a concern; fussy 0
Information block about the term
Origin of nit-picking
First appearance:
before 1965 One of the 2% newest English words
First recorded in 1965-70; nit1 + pick1
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Nit-picking
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
nit-picking popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 62% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
Synonyms for nit-picking
adj nit-picking
- bluenose — a puritanical or prudish person
- by the book — according to the rules; in the prescribed or usual way
- calumniatory — of, involving, or using calumny; slanderous; defamatory.
- captious — apt to make trivial criticisms; fault-finding; carping
- carping — tending to make petty complaints; fault-finding
noun nit-picking
- brickbat — Brickbats are very critical or insulting remarks which are made in public about someone or something.
- call down — to request or invoke
- criticism — the analysis or evaluation of a work of art, literature, etc
- cavil — If you say that someone cavils at something, you mean that they make criticisms of it that you think are unimportant or unnecessary.
- cavilling — to raise irritating and trivial objections; find fault with unnecessarily (usually followed by at or about): He finds something to cavil at in everything I say.
adjective nit-picking
- caviling — Present participle of cavil.
- cavillous — Characterized by caviling, or disposed to cavil; quibbling.
- censuring — strong or vehement expression of disapproval: The newspapers were unanimous in their censure of the tax proposal.
- choicy — Fastidious; choosy; discriminating.
- cleanly — in a fair manner
Antonyms for nit-picking
adjective nit-picking
- commendatory — serving to commend; expressing praise or approval
- giving — to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; bestow: to give a birthday present to someone.
- lending — That lends.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with n
- Words starting with ni
- Words starting with nit
- Words starting with nitp
- Words starting with nitpi
- Words starting with nitpic
- Words starting with nitpick
- Words starting with nitpicki
- Words starting with nitpickin
- Words starting with nitpicking