Persnickety definition and meaning Choosy importance is fairly elusive. It refers to someone who is exceptionally meticulous and nitpicking. A persnickety individual tends to nitpick and does not settle for less when it comes to criteria and flawlessness. Their meticulousness can be regarded as praiseworthy, but it can also exacerbate overly demanding criticism and avoidable dissatisfaction. Being persnickety is typically connected with meticulous focus on specifics but can also be seen as a manifestation of perfectionism.