anal

[eyn-l] / ˈeɪn l /

ADJECTIVE

excessively orderly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fussy persnickety picky

STRONG

fastidious nitpicking

WEAK

meticulous particular stickling

Antonyms

STRONGEST

messy nonchalant

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Bowel or anal incontinence - when you cannot control when you poo - affects 20% of women and is most commonly caused by a birth injury, according to the British Journal of General Practice.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

Unmarried men had five times the rate of anal cancer; unmarried women experienced three times the rate of cervical cancer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Sitting for longer periods could increase pressure on tissues in the anal region, which may contribute to the development of hemorrhoids.

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2026

I’m kind of anal about how I choose the colors and how I highlight everything.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 14, 2025

“All right, guys, thanks for watching! Gotta double-check my afternoon and evening meds now. You know how anal I am. I hope everyone has a great week. Bye!”

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott