English Explanatory Dictionary

peculiar

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Out of the ordinary; odd; strange; unusual.
  2. Common or usual for a certain place or circumstance; specific or particular.
  3. One's own; belonging solely or especially to an individual; not shared or possessed by others.
  4. Particular; individual; special; appropriate.
noun
  1. That which is peculiar; a sole or exclusive property; a prerogative; a characteristic.
  2. an ecclesiastical district, parish, chapel or church outside the jurisdiction of the bishop of the diocese in which it is situated.

Pronunciation

/pɪˈkjuː.li.ə/ /pəˈkjuː.li.ə/ en-GB-peculiar.ogg /pɪˈkjul.jɚ/ /pəˈkjul.jɚ/ en-us-peculiar.ogg /pɪˈkjʉː.li.ə/

Word forms

peculiar more peculiar most peculiar peculiars

Etymology

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

Synonyms

odd strange uncommon unusual specific

Antonyms

common mediocre ordinary usual general universal

Related words

Peculiar in the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition, 1911)

Derived words

chemically peculiar star funny peculiar peculiaries peculiar institution peculiarise peculiarism peculiarity peculiarization peculiarize peculiarly peculiar motion peculiarness Peculiar People peculiarsome peculiar velocity
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