Persnickety definition is fairly elusive. It refers to someone who is vitally picky and judgmental. A persnickety individual frequently nitpick and has high standards when it comes to quality and perfection. Their attention to detail can be viewed as laudable, but it can also lead to unreasonable disapproval and superfluous dissatisfaction. Being persnickety is regularly associated with exact focus on specifics but can also be seen as a manifestation of obsessiveness.