Peculiar: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿคช
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peculiar

 

[pษชหˆkjuหlษชษ™r ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

unusual

Different to what is normal or expected; strange.

Synonyms

odd, strange, unusual, weird.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
peculiar

Used to describe something that is unusual and distinctive in a way that is not necessarily negative.

  • She has a peculiar style of painting that many people find intriguing.
  • There was a peculiar noise coming from the attic.
odd

Suitable for describing something slightly strange or unexpected, but not necessarily alarming.

  • He had an odd habit of talking to himself.
  • It was odd that she didn't reply to her emails.
strange

Used to describe something that is unfamiliar or difficult to understand, often conveying a sense of mystery or the unknown.

  • It feels strange to be back in my hometown after so many years.
  • There was a strange light in the sky last night.
unusual

Appropriate for situations where something is different from what is seen as normal or common.

  • It's unusual to see snow in this part of the country.
  • Her behavior was quite unusual, even for her.
weird

Often implies something bizarre or difficult to explain, sometimes with a negative connotation.

  • I had a weird dream last night.
  • There's something weird going on in that house.

Examples of usage

  • The peculiar smell coming from the kitchen was a cause for concern.
  • Her peculiar behavior raised suspicions among her colleagues.
Context #2 | Adjective

distinctive

Belonging exclusively to a particular person, group, or thing.

Synonyms

distinctive, individual, special, unique.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
peculiar

Used to describe something that is unusual or strange. It often has a slightly negative or neutral connotation, suggesting oddity or deviation from the norm.

  • Her peculiar behavior worried her friends
  • The house had a peculiar smell
unique

Means something that is one of a kind, unlike anything else. It is used to emphasize complete originality or exclusivity.

  • She has a unique perspective on the issue
  • This is a unique opportunity
distinctive

Used when something has a specific characteristic that makes it stand out from others in a way that is easily recognizable.

  • His voice is very distinctive; you can recognize it immediately
  • The artist has a distinctive style
special

Implying a quality that sets something apart because it is superior, valued, or requires particular attention.

  • This gift is special to me
  • He has a special talent for music
individual

Refers to something that pertains to a single entity or person, often emphasizing personal characteristics or uniqueness.

  • Each painting has its own individual charm
  • She has a very individual approach to teaching

Examples of usage

  • The peculiar taste of the local cuisine made it a memorable experience.
  • The peculiar architecture of the building set it apart from the rest of the city.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'peculiaris', which means 'of one's own' or 'private', showing something unique to someone.
  • In old English, it described something that belonged to a particular person or thing, evolving to mean odd or unusual.

Psychology

  • People often find 'peculiar' traits in others intriguing or off-putting, influencing social interactions.
  • Studies suggest that we remember peculiar behaviors better than standard ones, due to their distinctiveness.

Pop Culture

  • Numerous characters in literature and film, like the 'Peculiar Children' series, embrace oddities as their strengths.
  • The phrase 'peculiar habits' is often used in portrayals of eccentric personas in TV shows and movies.

Science

  • In biology, a 'peculiar' trait in species can lead to discussions of evolution and adaptation due to environmental pressures.
  • Chemistry often uses 'peculiar' to describe unusual reactions or properties of materials.

Literature

  • 'Peculiar' appears frequently in classic literature to highlight characters who defy societal norms or portray unique qualities.
  • Authors like Lewis Carroll used 'peculiar' to describe the strange yet fascinating elements of Wonderland.

Translations

Translations of the word "peculiar" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น peculiar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคœเฅ€เคฌ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช eigenartig

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ aneh

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะพัะพะฑะปะธะฒะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ dziwny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็‰นๆœ‰ใฎ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท particulier

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ peculiar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท tuhaf

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋…ํŠนํ•œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุบุฑูŠุจ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zvlรกลกtnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zvlรกลกtny

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็‹ฌ็‰น็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ poseben

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ einstakur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะตั€ะตะบัˆะต

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ’แƒแƒ›แƒแƒ แƒฉแƒ”แƒฃแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ xรผsusi

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ peculiar

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,542, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.