To nitpick means to criticize small, unimportant details while ignoring what really matters.

When someone nitpicks your book report, they might focus on a few misplaced commas instead of discussing your interesting ideas. A nitpicky coach might spend the whole practice complaining about how players hold their water bottles rather than helping them improve their game. Someone who nitpicks constantly can make others feel frustrated because they're being judged on trivial things that don't affect the quality of their work.

There's a difference between helpful feedback and nitpicking. Good feedback points out problems that matter: “Your conclusion doesn't match your thesis” or “You're holding the bat wrong.” Nitpicking focuses on tiny flaws that barely affect anything: “You used 'however' twice in one paragraph” or “Your shoelaces aren't tied in perfectly even loops.”

The word also works as a noun. Constant nitpicking can discourage people from trying, since they feel like nothing they do will ever be good enough. Someone who nitpicks frequently is called a nitpicker, and they're more interested in finding faults than in helping or appreciating others.