Pedant
/ˈpɛdənt/
nounC1
Definition
A pedant is someone who cares a lot about small facts, rules, or details, and often corrects others or shows off their knowledge. This behavior can seem annoying because they focus on tiny points instead of the main idea. Pedants often want everything to be exactly right according to rules or facts.
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See It in Action
A person who shows off knowledge by focusing on small details or rules
- •The pedant interrupted the conversation to correct the pronunciation.
- •She is a pedant who always points out grammar mistakes in emails.
- •The teacher was a pedant about punctuation, correcting every comma.
Someone who cares too much about minor details and rules, often annoying others
- •His pedant attitude made group work difficult.
- •Don’t be such a pedant; sometimes small mistakes don’t matter.
- •The meeting was slowed down by a pedant who insisted on following every rule exactly.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "pedant" like "teacher," but one who always points out small mistakes and facts, even when it’s not needed
- ✓Picture a person who stops a conversation to correct someone's small grammar error or fact
- ✓It's the feeling when someone keeps telling you "Actually, that's not quite right," again and again
- ✓Sounds like "PED-ant" → imagine a person stepping on every small stone (detail) on a path, not looking around
- ✓Think of a character in a story who always wants to be the smartest and correct others, sometimes making friends annoyed
- ✓NOT like "expert" (who knows a lot but helps simply), a pedant focuses on small details to show off or correct
- ✓NOT like "perfectionist" (who wants things perfect for themselves), a pedant often corrects others publicly
- ✓NOT like "critic" (who gives opinions), a pedant focuses on facts and rules, not feelings or ideas
Try Other Words
- •Stickler: a person who insists on exact rules or details (Use when emphasizing strictness about rules)
- •Formalist: someone who cares a lot about rules and form (Use when focusing on following traditional rules exactly)
- •Know-it-all: a person who thinks they know everything (Use when the person shows off knowledge in a rude way)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "ped-" (child, education) + "-ant" (a person who does something)
- •Etymology: From Latin "paedagogus," meaning a teacher or guide for children, later changed to mean someone who focuses on learning or rules too much
- •Historical development: Originally a neutral term for a teacher, it became negative in the 17th century to mean someone who shows off small knowledge
- •Modern usage: Used to describe people who annoy others by focusing too much on minor details or rules, especially in language or learning
Reflect & Connect
•Can being a pedant sometimes help in learning or work? When is it helpful or harmful?
•How do you feel when someone acts like a pedant in a conversation or group?
Fill in the blanks
1.A pedant often ___ small mistakes even when they do not change the main idea.
2.People may feel annoyed when a pedant ___ others in casual talks.
3.Unlike an expert, a pedant usually focuses on ___ details instead of big ideas.
4.Sometimes a pedant’s behavior ___ group work because they insist on following every rule.
5.When someone is a pedant, they might be called a ___ because they correct too much.
6.A pedant’s comments often come ___, making conversations less friendly.
7.You can tell someone is a pedant if they always want to ___ facts or grammar exactly.