Meticulous means extremely careful and precise about small details. A meticulous student doesn't just finish their homework: they check every answer twice, make sure their handwriting is neat, and verify that they've followed all the instructions exactly. A meticulous artist takes time to get every brushstroke just right, even on tiny parts of the painting that most people might not notice.

When someone is meticulous about their work, they pay attention to everything, no matter how small. A meticulous baker measures ingredients precisely instead of just eyeballing them. A meticulous editor catches spelling mistakes that everyone else missed.

Being meticulous takes patience and concentration. It's the opposite of being careless or sloppy. While some tasks need a meticulous approach (like following a science experiment procedure), others don't require such intense focus.