persnickety adjective Definition pictures pronunciation Fussy sense is reasonably elusive. It refers to someone who is extremely selective and nitpicking. A persnickety individual typically nitpick and has high standards when it comes to expectations and flawlessness. Their attention to detail can be seen as admirable, but it can also magnify extreme censure and unjustified dissatisfaction. Being persnickety is commonly associated with meticulous focus on specifics but can also be seen as a form of pedantry.