particularity

American  

[per-tik-yuh-lar-i-tee, puh-tik-] / pərˌtɪk yəˈlær ɪ ti, pəˌtɪk- /

noun

plural

particularities

1. the quality or state of being particular.

2. detailed, minute, or circumstantial character, as of description or statement.

3. attention to details; special care.

4. fastidiousness.

5. an individual or characteristic feature or trait; peculiarity.

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particularity British  

/ pəˌtɪkjʊˈlærɪtɪ /

noun

1. (often plural) a specific circumstance

   the particularities of the affair

2. great attentiveness to detail; fastidiousness

3. the quality of being precise

   a description of great particularity

4. the state or quality of being particular as opposed to general; individuality

   the particularity of human situations

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Etymology

Origin of particularity

1520–30; < Middle French particularite < Late Latin particulāritāt- (stem of particulāritās ) state of being apart. See particular, -ity

Example Sentences

This was tender and not sweet because it was anchored in a particularity the audience needed to hear.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

They can’t atone for the play’s lack of depth, but they bring truthful particularity and a touch of zest.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2023

The particularity of quantum physics is that if two particles are close enough to each other to interact, they can stay connected even when separated.

From Science Daily • Oct. 12, 2023

You see, one strange particularity of Santos’s Il Bacco habit is his penchant for racking up bills that total exactly $199.99.

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2023

He downed six hot dogs, then a can of baby carrots, and gratefully accepted a dozen or so Oreos, one after the other, and ate them with great savor and particularity.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• idiosyncrasy
• peculiarity
• singularity
• uniqueness