2

Does "stickler" in the following sentence have a negative connotation?

My wife is stickler for detail.

If it is negative could you please give me an alternative which has a positive meaning?

Improve this question
1
  • 1
    No and anyway, "… stickler…" should always be "… a stickler…"
    – Robbie Goodwin
    Oct 18, 2020 at 1:22

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
5

It's not negative in itself. It means a person who insists on and displays a particular type of behaviour. It could be used to mean that the person does so too much. But the word itself doesn't have a negative connotation.

The person I hire as my secretary has to be a real stickler for detail.

Improve this answer
4

Not necessarily. Sometimes being a stickler is exactly what is necessary to ensure accurate communication.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .