Adj.
PUNCTum
A punctilious person pays attention to details. Are you always precisely on
time? Is your room perfectly neat? Do you never forget a birthday or a
library book's due date? Then you are one of the punctilious people.
The adjective punctilious, pronounced "punk-TIL-ee-us," is related to the
Italian word puntiglio, meaning "fine point." For someone who is
punctilious no point is too fine, no detail too small, to be overlooked. The
word is often used to describe people, but it can be used more broadly to
apply to observations, behavior, or anything else that is characterized by
close attention to detail.
DEFINITIONS AND USAGE EXAMPLES
PRONUNCIATION
 Paying strict attention to detail; extremely careful
 Very careful about behaving properly and doing things in
a correct and accurate way
 “He is punctilious in his attention to rules of etiquette.”
SYNONYMS: Meticulous; precise
\pŭngk-tĭl ē-əs\
Directions: Discuss the meaning of the word with your students, with special
emphasis on any variations or nuances of the word specific to your discipline.
Consider taking it a step further by using one or all of the following ideas as
you involve students with the new vocabulary. Remember to preview all content
you intend to share with students. Not all items on the lists provided below are
appropriate for all classes or age levels.

1 Click here for a 20 second video giving the definition and an example of how to use this word.
 Examples of Usage in a Sentence--General:
Because my aunt is quite punctilious when it comes to table
settings, every utensil must be turned properly.
My father was punctilious about
having all of his ties lined up by
color.
While I enjoy cleanliness, I am not so punctilious that
I get upset about a little dust on my furniture.
Pharmacists must be very punctilious because the
actions they take could result in fatalities.
Margaret’s tendency to be punctilious
makes her a great accountant.