peculiar

[ pi-kyool-yer ]

adjective

1. strange; queer; odd:

   peculiar happenings.

   Synonyms: bizarre, eccentric

2. uncommon; unusual:

   the peculiar hobby of stuffing and mounting bats.

   Synonyms: exceptional, singular, extraordinary

   Antonyms: common

3. distinctive in nature or character from others.
4. belonging characteristically (usually followed by to ):

   an expression peculiar to Canadians.

5. belonging exclusively to some person, group, or thing:

   the peculiar properties of a drug.

   Synonyms: unique, special, particular, personal, individual

   Antonyms: common

6. Astronomy. designating a star or galaxy with special properties that deviates from others of its spectral type or galaxy class.

noun

1. a property or privilege belonging exclusively or characteristically to a person.
2. British. a particular parish or church that is exempted from the jurisdiction of the ordinary or bishop in whose diocese it lies and is governed by another.
3. peculiars. Also called arbitraries. British Printing. special characters not generally included in standard type fonts, as phonetic symbols, mathematical symbols, etc.

peculiar

/ pɪˈkjuːlɪə /

adjective

1. strange or unusual; odd

   a peculiar idea

   a peculiar individual

2. distinct from others; special
3. postpositivefoll byto belonging characteristically or exclusively (to)

   peculiar to North America

noun

1. Also calledarbitrary printing a special sort, esp an accented letter
2. Church of England a church or parish that is exempt from the jurisdiction of the ordinary in whose diocese it lies

Derived Forms

• peˈculiarly, adverb

Other Words From

• pe·culiar·ly adverb
• unpe·culiar adjective
• unpe·culiar·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of peculiar¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; from Latin pecūliāris “as one's own,” equivalent to pecūli(um) “property” (derivative of pecū “flock, farm animals”; akin to pecus “cattle” ( fee )) + -āris -ar ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of peculiar¹

C15: from Latin pecūliāris concerning private property, from pecūlium, literally: property in cattle, from pecus cattle

Synonym Study

See strange.

Example Sentences

Last week, I had found four cubic blocks in a peculiar arrangement.

From FiveThirtyEight

I recently found four cubic blocks in a peculiar arrangement.

From FiveThirtyEight

A look at typical horror fans may provide some clues about the nature of this peculiar phenomenon.

From Nautilus

Outbreaks of the condition have peaked in a peculiar every-other-year cycle for six years, with 120 cases across the United States in 2014, 153 in 2016, and 240 in 2018.

From Washington Post

All of these measures were important, considering Nigeria’s peculiar population and social dynamics.

From Ozy

Life is a series of seemingly throwaway moments strung together in a peculiar tapestry, and Linklater has captured it beautifully.

From The Daily Beast

The healthier appearance and civilian clothing are very peculiar.

From The Daily Beast

Because the shop was emblematic of that peculiar Italian institution known as La Faccia: i.e. presenting the best face possible.

From The Daily Beast

In the semifinals, she was in a peculiar position for someone of Jeopardy!

From The Daily Beast

Right off the bat, the “Doing Our Bit for the Cure” campaign seemed peculiar.

From The Daily Beast

It is most peculiar, and when he plays that way, the most bewitching little expression comes over his face.

From Project Gutenberg

The order of meals at Lane End was somewhat peculiar even then, and would now be almost unique.

From Project Gutenberg

Some peculiar lines between these contracted brows gave a character of ferocity to this forbidding and sensual face.

From Project Gutenberg

Wharton uttered this with a peculiar force of voice, and aweful expression in his countenance.

From Project Gutenberg

I cannot call that peculiarly manly, which are the peculiar pursuits of the lowest of our species.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• curious
• eccentric
• extraordinary
• funny
• idiosyncratic
• offbeat
• outlandish
• quaint
• singular
• strange
• unconventional
• unusual
• wacky
• weird
• wonderful