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
Related Words
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.
New findings now point to another powerful influence: disease, particularly malaria.
From Science Daily • May 3, 2026
Conversions are rising, particularly across metro centers, and universities.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026
California’s own supply of crude oil has been declining since the 1980s, due to aging fields and a geology that makes drilling particularly costly.
From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2026
The crisis has revived worries that European businesses in these sectors will struggle to compete with foreign rivals who face fewer constraints, particularly in terms of environmental standards.
From Barron's • May 3, 2026
Mother intended to find out what this particularly noisy spirit wanted.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
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.
