About this episode
This episode discusses the word 'scrupulous', its meaning, usage, and origin.
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 4, 2026 is: scrupulous • \SKROO-pyuh-lus\ • adjective Scrupulous describes someone who is very careful about doing something correctly, or something marked by such carefulness. Scrupulous can also describe someone who is careful about doing what is honest and morally right. // She was always scrupulous about her work. // Being an editor requires scrupulous attention to detail. // Less scrupulous companies find ways to evade the law. See the entry > Examples: “ Scrupulous directors make sure that the sound of their movies is grossly efficient, so that the dramatic meaning of a scene is apparent even in the worst theatre or home system in the country …” — David Denby, The New Yorker , 9 Mar. 2026 Did you know? People described as scrupulous might feel discomfort if their work is not executed with a sharp attention to detail. Such discomfort might present itself as a nagging feeling, much as a sharp pebble in a shoe might nag a walker intent on getting somewhere. And we are getting somewhere. The origin of scrupulous is founded in just such a pebble. Scrupulous and its close relative scruple (“a feeling that prevents you…
Topics covered
- language
- adjectives
- carefulness
- morality
- word origins
Keywords
- scrupulous
- adjective
- careful
- honesty
- morally right
- word of the day
- language
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Merriam-Webster
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