adjective
anal
AY-nul/ˈeɪnl/
Excessively concerned with detail or order.
He is anal about aligning every fork while dinner grows cold.
Etymology
The pieces literally mean “pertaining to the anus.” The selected sense is shorthand for psychological “anal-retentive,” shifting the anatomical label to excessive neatness, rigidity, or concern with details.
In context
And that's why we need to talk more openly about OCD to get past the idea that sufferers are just neat freaks or really anal and recognize the symptoms in ourselves and others.
More examples
- She called herself anal about file names.
- The informal description anal can sound dismissive.
- His anal attention to spacing delayed the project.
Forms
anal
Similar words
- fussy
- Fussy is less crude and can concern preferences generally.
- meticulous
- Meticulous can praise careful attention rather than criticize excess.