scrupulous
Definitions
Very careful to do everything correctly and pay attention to every detail
一丝不苟的，严谨细致的
Careful to be honest and morally correct
谨守道德的，正直审慎的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedscrupul (the pebble of conscience) + -ous (full of) = "full of scruples." A scrupulous person feels that nagging stone, so they walk carefully — exact in detail and upright in conduct.
Root scrupul still carries 5 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.scrupulous attention严谨细致的关注
- 2.scrupulous honesty一丝不苟的诚实
- 3.scrupulous care极度谨慎
- 4.less than scrupulous不够诚实正直
Example Sentences
- 1.
She kept scrupulous records of every penny spent.
- 2.
The lab is scrupulous about following safety procedures.
- 3.
He is too scrupulous to take a bribe.
Easily Confused
scrupulous vs meticulous — both mean very careful, but meticulous is only about precision and detail (a meticulous painter), with no moral side. Scrupulous adds conscience: a scrupulous accountant is both exact and honest. If money or ethics are involved, scrupulous fits; if it's pure craft, meticulous.
Synonym Comparison
- scrupulous — careful in both detail and conscience; the moral version of careful
- meticulous — careful about precision and detail; no moral implication
- conscientious — careful because you take your duty seriously
- punctilious — fussily exact about rules and formalities, slightly negative
- thorough — complete, leaving nothing out, but not necessarily moral