Persnickety definition in American English Choosy sense is quite hard to grasp. It refers to someone who is vitally meticulous and nitpicking. A persnickety individual typically pay strict attention to detail and sets the bar high when it comes to standards and excellence. Their meticulousness can be viewed as laudable, but it can also intensify excessive criticism and avoidable dissatisfaction. Being persnickety is commonly connected with meticulous attention to detail but can also be seen as a type of pedantry.