particularly
Americanadverb
-
in a particular or to an exceptional degree; especially.
He read it with particularly great interest.
- Synonyms:
- specially, exceptionally
-
in a particular manner; specifically; individually.
-
in detail; minutely.
- Synonyms:
- scrupulously
adverb
-
very much; exceptionally
I wasn't particularly successful
-
in particular; specifically
pensioners, particularly the less well-off
Synonym Usage
See especially.
Etymology
Origin of particularly
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English. See particular, -ly
Explanation
The adverb form of "particular," the word particularly means "in a focused, precise manner." You looked for stones that had the proper qualities, particularly rounded edges and elongated shapes. Careful near the windows. The idea of particularly hails from the Lower Latin particularis, which meant "a particle," and in English took on the idea of something "pertaining to a single thing or person." Later, the word was refined to take on the idea of an exactness of detail. Journalist Ambrose Bierce applied the word as emphasis to his definition of incompatibility: "In matrimony a similarity of tastes, particularly the taste for domination."
Vocabulary lists containing particularly
Walk Two Moons
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"By Any Other Name"
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King and the Dragonflies
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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.
Particularly affected this year: international students who earned M.B.A.s in the hope of landing a job in the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026
"Particularly interesting results were obtained for kombuchas prepared from green and oolong teas, which demonstrated the highest biological potential."
From Science Daily • Jun. 23, 2026
Particularly in hospitality, which has seen sharp rises in the national living wage and employers' national insurance contributions.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Particularly fierce solar storms can knock out satellites and threaten astronauts -- and create dazzling auroras in the skies known as the northern or southern lights.
From Barron's • May 19, 2026
Particularly as Grover never bit anyone, but often looked as though he might; so that Arthur Smith, for one, was much more respectful when Ralph ran into him.
From "Typical American" by Gish Jen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
