methodical

adjective

me·​thod·​i·​cal mə-ˈthä-di-kəl 

variants or less commonly methodic

mə-ˈthä-dik 

1

: arranged, characterized by, or performed with method or order

a methodical treatment of the subject

2

: habitually proceeding according to method : systematic

methodical in his daily routine

a methodical worker

methodically

mə-ˈthä-di-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

methodicalness

mə-ˈthä-di-kəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• neat
• orderly
• organized
• regular
• systematic
• systematized

Examples of methodical in a Sentence

Their methodical review of the evidence exposed some problems with the study's findings.

She's a slow and methodical worker, and her drawings reflect the extra care she takes.

Recent Examples on the Web

What’s the holdup: The Hall seems to have a methodical approach to hip-hop, which typically results in one act from the genre getting in each year. —Joe Kwaczala, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2025

His house is neat, his habits are orderly, and, with his careful concentration on practical details and his loving attention to Sandy, his methodical life appears full and busy. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2025

But over the course of the season, the Chiefs were a methodical team and the Eagles don’t mind playing that way. —Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025

Instead, Dawkins’ story is one of methodical growth and purposeful evolution. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

methodical

adjective

me·​thod·​i·​cal mə-ˈthäd-i-kəl 

1

: marked by or performed or arranged by method or order

a methodical search

2

: being in the habit of following a method : systematic

a methodical teacher

methodically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

methodicalness

-i-kəl-nəs 

noun