persnickety adj meanings etymology and more Persnickety sense is quite hard to grasp. It refers to someone who is immensely picky and fault-finding. A persnickety individual often be meticulous and does not settle for less when it comes to expectations and perfection. Their meticulousness can be perceived as commendable, but it can also exacerbate excessive criticism and unjustified dissatisfaction. Being persnickety is commonly connected with detailed focus on specifics but can also be seen as a form of perfectionism.