Persnickety definition and meaning Fussy importance is somewhat elusive. It refers to someone who is extremely selective and fault-finding. A persnickety individual frequently be fastidious and does not settle for less when it comes to criteria and excellence. Their fastidious nature can be
viewed as laudable, but it can also magnify excessive disapproval and superfluous dissatisfaction. Being persnickety is often associated with detailed attention to detail but can also be seen as a type of perfectionism.