finicky
pronunciation
How to pronounce finicky in British English:
UK [ˈfɪnɪki]
How to pronounce finicky in American English:
US [ˈfɪnɪki]
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- Adjective:
- exacting especially about details
Word Origin
- finicky (adj.)
- 1825, "dainty, mincing," from finical "too particular" (1590s), which perhaps is from fine (adj.) + -ical as in cynical, ironical (OED says "ultimate derivation" from the adjective "seems probable"). But finikin (1660s) "dainty, precise in trifles" has been proposed as a source, even though the timing is off. It apparently comes from Dutch; compare Middle Dutch fijnkens (adv.) "precisely, exactly," from fijn, cognate with English fine (adj.). The -k- between the final -c- and a suffix beginning in -i, -y, or -e is an orthographic rule to mark the pronunciation of -c- as "k" (compare picnicking, trafficking, panicky, shellacked). Related: Finickiness.
Example
- 1. Unfortunately , web buyers are a finicky bunch .
- 2. Eat up your fish and do not be so finicky .
- 3. He was always very finicky about that .
- 4. Maybe he just thinks having a small market share but high profit margins is the way to make the most money - and his finicky design aesthetic is a byproduct of this strategy .
- 5. 5 Third , it will be hard to convince finicky japanese passengers that low fares make up for the lack of comfort and convenience they are used to .