pedantry

UK: /ˈpɛd^əntrɪ/ US: (ped′n trē)

Inflections of 'pedantry' (n): npl: pedantries

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ped•ant•ry  (ped′n trē), n., pl. -ries. 

1. the character, qualities, practices, etc., of a pedant, esp. undue display of learning.
2. slavish attention to rules, details, etc.
3. an instance of being pedantic:
   the pedantries of modern criticism.

• Italian pedanteria. See pedant, -ry 1575–85

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

pedantry / ˈpɛd^əntrɪ/ noun ( -ries)

1. the habit or an instance of being a pedant, esp in the display of useless knowledge or minute observance of petty rules or details

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ped•ant /ˈpɛdənt/   n. [countable]

1. one who enjoys displaying learning.
2. one too concerned with minor details, esp. in teaching:
   a boring, uninspiring pedant whose students fall asleep in his classes.
3. one too concerned with book knowledge without regard to common sense.

pe•dan•tic /pəˈdæntɪk/  adj. 
ped•ant•ry, n. [uncountable] See -ped²-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ped•ant  (ped′nt), n. 

1. a person who makes an excessive or inappropriate display of learning.
2. a person who overemphasizes rules or minor details.
3. a person who adheres rigidly to book knowledge without regard to common sense.
4. [Obs.] a schoolmaster.

• Italian pedante teacher, pedant; apparently akin to pedagogue; see -ant
• 1580–90

ped′ant•esque′, adj. 
ped′ant•hood′, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. hairsplitter.