meticulously
/mɪˈtɪk.jʊ.ləs.li/ IELTSAcademic
adverb
In a very careful and detailed way. Someone who does something meticulously pays close attention to every small part and tries not to make mistakes.
- She checked the report meticulously.
- He planned the trip meticulously.
- The cake was decorated meticulously.
Adinary Nuance
Meticulously is stronger and more precise than carefully. Use carefully for general caution, but meticulously when every small detail matters. It also feels more formal and polished than thoroughly in many contexts. Writers often choose it for work, study, or precision-focused tasks.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- tỉ mỉ
- Spanish
- minuciosamente
- Chinese
- 一丝不苟地
- Japanese
- 綿密に
- Korean
- 꼼꼼하게
Etymology
Meticulously comes from meticulous, which entered English in the 17th century from Latin meticulosus, meaning "fearful" or "very careful." The word later came to mean careful with details.
Common phrases
meticulously plannedmeticulously preparedmeticulously detailedmeticulously checked
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is meticulously formal or informal?
- It is fairly formal. It works well in writing, reports, and professional speech.
- What is the difference between meticulously and carefully?
- Carefully means with attention and caution. Meticulously means with very close attention to small details.
- Can I use meticulously in IELTS writing?
- Yes. It is a strong academic word for precise, detailed work or planning.
- How do I use meticulously in a sentence?
- Use it before a verb or past participle: "She meticulously checked every answer."