WORD: PEDANTIC
PRONUNCIATION: /pə-ˈdan-tik/
PART OF SPEECH: Adjective
(SPOKEN AS: puh-DAN-tik)
SYLLABLES: pe-dan-tic (3 syllables)
BREAKDOWN OF SOUND:
– PUH (like the “pu” in put)
– DAN (emphasized syllable, like the name Dan)
– TIK (like tick)
MEANING:
Pedantic describes someone who is overly concerned with formal rules, details, or academic learning, often to the point of being dull or nitpicky. A pedantic person may focus too much on correcting small errors or flaunting their knowledge.
IN A SENTENCE:
She gave a pedantic lecture on grammar, correcting every tiny mistake the students mad
TONE/USAGE TIPS:
Use this word when describing behavior that feels overly academic, showy, or fussily exact, often in a slightly negative or critical way.
Pronunciation video credit: English Perfectus YouTube