me ‧ thod ‧ i ‧ cal AC /məˈθɒdɪk ə l, mɪˈθɒdɪk ə l $ -ˈθɑː-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ method , ↑ methodology ; adjective : ↑ methodical , ↑ methodological ; adverb : ↑ methodically ]
1 . a methodical way of doing something is careful and uses an ordered system:
He always checked every detail in a methodical way.
a methodical approach to answering questions
2 . a methodical person always does things carefully, using an ordered system:
She’s a very methodical person.
He had a neat, methodical mind.
—methodically /-kli/ adverb :
He went through the papers methodically, one by one.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ careful trying to avoid mistakes and do everything correctly by paying a lot of attention to details:
Try to be more careful with your punctuation.
|
A careful inspection showed cracks in the foundation of the building.
▪ methodical always doing things in a careful and well-organized way:
He is very methodical in his work and likes to plan everything in advance.
|
This time the researchers used a more methodical approach to the problem.
▪ thorough /ˈθʌrə $ ˈθʌroʊ, ˈθʌrə/ careful to examine or deal with every part of something, so that you do not miss anything important:
There will be a thorough investigation into the circumstances of her death.
|
Our mechanics will check everything – they’re very thorough.
▪ meticulous very careful about every small detail in order to make sure everything is done correctly:
She keeps meticulous records of the students’ progress.
|
He was meticulous about keeping the place clean and tidy.
▪ systematic using a fixed plan in a careful and well-organized way in order to do everything that you should:
a systematic review of the scientific evidence
|
We need a systematic way to evaluate employees.
▪ painstaking using a lot of time and effort to do something in a very careful and thorough way:
The book is the result of ten years of painstaking research.
|
They began the long and painstaking task of translating his work into English.