What is the meaning of hairsplitting?

noun

  • Making too fine distinctions of little importance.
    • usage: "they didn't take his hairsplitting seriously"

adjective

  • Developed in excessively fine detail.
    • usage: "finespun distinctions"
WordNet 3.0 © 2006 by Princeton University
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APAWordNet. (2010). hairsplitting. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/hairsplitting/definitions/1175244
ChicagoWordNet. 2010. "hairsplitting" http://smartdefine.org/hairsplitting/definitions/1175244 (accessed September 21, 2026).
HarvardWordNet 2010, hairsplitting, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/hairsplitting/definitions/1175244>.
MLAWordNet. "hairsplitting" 23 October 2010. Web. 21 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/hairsplitting/definitions/1175244>
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