Pedantic is an insulting word used to describe someone who annoys others by correcting small errors, caring too much about minor details, or emphasizing their own expertise especially in some narrow …

PEDANTIC definition: 1. giving too much attention to formal rules or small details: 2. giving too much attention to…. Learn more.

Pedantic means "like a pedant," someone who's too concerned with literal accuracy or formality. It's a negative term that implies someone is showing off book learning or trivia, especially in a tiresome way.

PEDANTIC definition: ostentatious in one's learning. See examples of pedantic used in a sentence.

pedantic adjective Characterized by a narrow concern for book learning and formal rules, without knowledge or experience of practical matters:

Jun 5, 2025 · "Pedantic" is an adjective that modifies nouns or pronouns to describe a behavior, attitude, or quality of being overly meticulous, overly focused on details, or excessively academic.

pedantic, n. & adj. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

Jan 2, 2026 · pedantic (comparative more pedantic, superlative most pedantic) Being overly concerned with formal rules and trivial points of learning, like a pedant.

Definition of pedantic adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

If you say someone is pedantic, you mean that they are too concerned with unimportant details or traditional rules, especially in connection with academic subjects.