Word: meticulously (adverb)

Associations

Meticulously means doing something very carefully and with great attention to detail. It suggests that the person is thorough and precise in their work or actions.

• Example 1: She meticulously organized her notes before the exam. (This shows she paid careful attention to how her notes were arranged.)
• Example 2: The artist meticulously painted every detail of the landscape. (Here, it indicates that the artist took great care in painting.)
• Example 3: He meticulously followed the recipe to ensure the dish would turn out perfectly. (This shows he was very careful in preparing the meal.)

A well-known synonym for meticulously is "carefully." The main difference is that "carefully" is a more general term, while "meticulously" emphasizes a higher level of detail and precision.

Substitution

Other words or phrases that can be used in place of "meticulously" include:

• "thoroughly" (implies completeness but may not emphasize detail as much)
• "scrupulously" (implies moral correctness along with care)
• "painstakingly" (suggests a lot of effort and time spent on details)

Deconstruction

The word "meticulously" comes from the root "meticulous," which means showing great attention to detail. The suffix "-ly" turns the adjective "meticulous" into an adverb, indicating how an action is performed. The root "meticulus" comes from Latin, meaning "fearful" or "timid," which evolved to mean being careful or precise in English.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you did something meticulously? What was it, and why did you pay so much attention to detail?
• In what situations do you think it is important to be meticulous? Are there times when being less meticulous might be acceptable?
• How might being meticulous affect the outcome of a project or task?