finicky

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.

The “coffee-machine story” was a recounting of the finicky 1970s coin-operated coffee machine in his office that often malfunctioned and dispensed its entire contents from one coin.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026

Restaurants have struggled this year with rising costs for ingredients such as beef, scarce labor and more finicky customers.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 18, 2025

It isn't "finicky" like some, can be frozen and revived without trouble, and is unusually good at hosting foreign DNA.

From BBC • Sep. 25, 2025

The capsules themselves can be a little finicky, so if fuss-free is your priority, you may prefer the PAX.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025

We chat about hyperthermia and electrolytes until he is ready to order some finicky combination like soup of the day, garden salad, and a side of grits.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich