Standard Lemma guide

hair-splittingly

adv · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adv

Meaning 1

In a hair-splitting way, characterized by exceedingly small differences, fine details, or edge cases of no seeming importance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Nobody expected the vote to be so hair-splittingly close.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English hair-splitting Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English hair-splittingly From hair-splitting + -ly.