peculiarity
Americannoun
plural
peculiarities-
a trait, manner, characteristic, or habit that is odd or unusual.
- Synonyms:
- idiosyncrasy
-
oddity; singularity; eccentricity.
- Synonyms:
- irregularity
-
a distinguishing quality or characteristic.
-
the quality or condition of being peculiar.
noun
-
a strange or unusual habit or characteristic
-
a distinguishing trait, etc that is characteristic of a particular person; idiosyncrasy
-
the state or quality of being peculiar
Related Words
See eccentricity. See feature.
Etymology
Origin of peculiarity
First recorded in 1600–10; from Late Latin pecūliāritās “private property, special care,” a derivative of pecūliāris peculiar + -itas -ity ( def. )
Explanation
Some characteristic or habit that's odd or distinctive is a peculiarity. Your brother's peculiarities might include always wearing a red knit hat, even in summer. A peculiarity is a quirk or strange feature. You might be self conscious about the fact that your ears are uneven, something you think of as an obvious peculiarity. Another kind of peculiarity is a quality that is specific to someone or something: "One peculiarity of people from the Midwest is that they call soda pop." This "special characteristic" meaning is the original one, which makes sense given the Latin root, peculiaris, "of one's own."
Vocabulary lists containing peculiarity
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.
A new tradition of sorts has popped up: Peculiarity.
From Seattle Times • May 7, 2022
The local theater group Peculiarity Productions will provide Halloween tricks with sideshow performers including a fire breather and a contortionist.
From Washington Times • Sep. 26, 2018
Peculiarity of Greek feelings on the position of women, 280, 281.
From History of European Morals From Augustus to Charlemagne (Vol. 2 of 2) by Lecky, William Edward Hartpole
Some Peculiarity in every man, characteristic to himself, yet varying from himself, v.15.
From An Essay on Man by Morley, Henry
Peculiarity discomposes them; the swift current of life disturbs their points of view, and prevents them from understanding and appreciating such men.
From The Life of William Ewart Gladstone (Vol 2 of 3) by Morley, John
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.
