IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
meticulous
adjective/məˈtɪkjələs/Band 8
Last updated 21 July 2026
In short
“meticulous” is a Band 8 adjective that means showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise. Below you'll find its pronunciation, natural example sentences, synonyms and antonyms, and the collocations that help you use it accurately in the IELTS Speaking test.
Meaning
Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
Example sentences
Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.
- “Her meticulous notes made revision much easier.”
- “The project required meticulous planning.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
thoroughpainstakingscrupulous
Antonyms
carelesssloppyslapdash
Collocations & common phrases
Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.
Collocations
meticulous attention to detailmeticulous planningmeticulously researched
Common phrases
meticulous about something
Related words
Explore more vocabulary
Frequently asked questions
What does “meticulous” mean?
Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
How do you use “meticulous” in a sentence?
For example: “Her meticulous notes made revision much easier.”
What are some synonyms for “meticulous”?
Synonyms include thorough, painstaking, scrupulous.
Is “meticulous” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 8 vocabulary, and collocations such as meticulous attention to detail, meticulous planning, meticulously researched help you use it naturally. Reaching for precise, less common words like this is exactly what lifts your Lexical Resource score.
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