Stickler

name, noun

name, noun ·3 syllables ·Uncommon ·College level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A referee or adjudicator at a fight, wrestling match, duel, etc. who ensures fair play. Cornwall

    "In ancient time they were wont to employ third persons as sticklers, to see no treachery or disorder were used, and to beare witnes of the combates successe."

  2. 2
    someone who insists on something wordnet
  3. 3
    Someone who insistently advocates for something, especially for strict observance of a formal rule.

    "Lexicographers are sticklers for correct language."

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A surname.

Synonyms

All synonyms
absolute monarchabsolute rulerall-powerful rulerarrogatorassautarch

Example

More examples

"My teacher is a stickler for grammar."

Etymology

From Middle English stighteler, stytelere, equivalent to stickle + -er. The judges at Cornish wrestling matches do indeed carry sticks which serve for signalling and as a badge of their office. This practice has evolved from holding swords and then swordsticks.

Related phrases

fair play

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.