Persnickety Definition Meaning Particular significance is fairly elusive. It refers to someone who is immensely picky and critical. A persnickety individual usually be fastidious and does not settle for less when it comes to quality and perfection. Their attention to detail can be regarded as praiseworthy, but it can also magnify overly demanding disapproval and superfluous dissatisfaction. Being persnickety is often related to meticulous focus on specifics but can also be seen as a type of perfectionism.