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 of methodical

• systematic
• organized
• 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

The Braves are methodical offensively, utilizing their downs to get to certain parts of the field and running different concepts to open spaces. —Pj Green april 30, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026

This would afford scope to rotate, but Villa tend to conserve energy during games by playing a patient, methodical style, so do not tend to feel the strains of a European schedule as keenly as other teams. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026

Vasavada, who has witnessed NASA’s methodical approach to searching for evidence of ancient water and past habitability on Mars, believes returning samples is the only way to complete this multidecade quest for answers. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026

The merits docket – the ordinary process – is methodical. —Wayne Unger, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for methodical

• periodical

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