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pedantic

Adjective

IPA /pɪˈdæntɪk/

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Meaning in plain English

Paying too much attention to small details or rules, especially when this distracts from the main point.

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Pronunciation

pedantic/pɪˈdæntɪk/

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A report has an important argument
Someone focuses on tiny formatting details
The main point is overlooked

A pedantic approach gives excessive attention to small rules or details.

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His pedantic correction of every small mistake spoiled the friendly conversation.
The reviewer became pedantic about formatting and ignored the report's main argument.

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His ________ correction of every small mistake spoiled the friendly conversation.

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pedantic — Paying too much attention to small details or rules, especially when this distracts from the main point.

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Paying too much attention to small details or rules, especially when this distracts from the main point.

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Word origin

Formed in English from pedant with the adjective ending -ic.

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A pedantic insistence on rules suggests that the details are receiving excessive attention.

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