peculiar
pih-KYOO-lee-uh
Peculiar (adj) means Strange or odd; unusual in a way that draws attention. Example: “There was a peculiar smell coming from the basement.”
adj
1
Strange or odd; unusual in a way that draws attention.
"There was a peculiar smell coming from the basement."
"He had a peculiar habit of humming while he worked."
"The cat gave a peculiar cry and then hid under the sofa."
2
Belonging distinctly to a particular person, place, or thing; specific to it.
"That dry sense of humor is peculiar to British sitcoms."
"This kind of bird is peculiar to the island and lives nowhere else."
"The problem is peculiar to older versions of the software."
How to use peculiar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "strange/odd" or "specific and unique to something" — context tells you which.
Common mistake
When followed by "to" (e.g. "peculiar to this region"), it means "specific/unique to", not "strange".
Common pairings
peculiar to
a peculiar feeling
peculiar habit
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Word forms
- Plural
- peculiars
- Comparative
- more peculiar
- Superlative
- most peculiar
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There was a _____ smell coming from the basement.
Etymology
From Latin pecūliāris ("one's own property"), from pecūlium ("private property"), ultimately from pecus ("cattle") — livestock once being a measure of personal wealth.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for peculiar
See all rhymes for peculiar →Frequently asked questions
What does “peculiar” mean?
The word “peculiar” means strange or odd; unusual in a way that draws attention. In plain terms, either "strange/odd" or "specific and unique to something" — context tells you which.
How do you pronounce “peculiar”?
“Peculiar” is pronounced pih-KYOO-lee-uh (/pɪˈkjul.jɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “peculiar” in a sentence?
Here is “peculiar” used in a sentence: “There was a peculiar smell coming from the basement.”
What part of speech is “peculiar”?
“Peculiar” is an adjective.
Where does the word “peculiar” come from?
The word “peculiar” comes from Latin. From Latin pecūliāris ("one's own property"), from pecūlium ("private property"), ultimately from pecus ("cattle") — livestock once being a measure of personal wealth.
Is “peculiar” a common word?
“Peculiar” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “peculiar” have?
“Peculiar” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: strange or odd; unusual in a way that draws attention.
What is the difference between peculiar and strange?
The two overlap closely, but peculiar often carries a milder, more curious tone, while strange can suggest something more unsettling. Peculiar also has a second sense meaning "specific to" something, which strange does not share.
How is "peculiar to" used in a sentence?
"Peculiar to" means belonging distinctly or specifically to a particular person, place, or thing, as in "a custom peculiar to that region." This usage highlights uniqueness rather than oddness.
Is peculiar a polite way to describe something unusual?
Yes, peculiar is generally a mild, fairly neutral word for describing something strange or odd, less blunt than words like weird or bizarre, and it works well in both casual and formal writing.
