peculiar

CEFRB2

/pɪˈkjuː.li.ə/

adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Strange or unusual, especially in a way that attracts attention.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    Common or usual for a certain place or circumstance; specific or particular.

Examples

  • For instance, bowing is peculiar to us, the Japanese.

  • Every nation has its peculiar character.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • /pɪˈkjul.jɚ/
  • /pɪˈkjʉː.li.ə/

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. One's own; belonging solely or especially to an individual; not shared or possessed by others.

  2. Out of the ordinary; odd; strange; unusual.

  3. Particular; individual; special; appropriate.

More examples

In context

  • Feathers are peculiar to birds.

  • It would be rather peculiar to see a kangaroo hopping down a city street.

  • The sky had a peculiar appearance before the storm.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The scientist noticed a blank smell coming from the chemical reaction that was not normal.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

From Latin pecūliāris (“one's own”), from pecūlium (“private property”), from pecus (“cattle”).