peculiar Hear it!

peculiar Definition

pe·cu·liar (pi kyo̵̅o̅lyər)

adjective

  1. of only one person, thing, group, country, etc.; distinctive; exclusive
  2. particular; unique; special a matter of peculiar interest
  3. out of the ordinary; queer; odd; strange

Etymology: ME peculier < L peculiaris < peculium: see peculate

noun

  1. something belonging to one only, as a privilege
  2. Brit. a church or parish under a jurisdiction other than that of the diocese in which it is located

Related Forms:

peculiar Synonyms

peculiar

modif.

  1. Unusual

    strange, wonderful, singular, outlandish; see strange 1, 2, unusual 2.

  2. Characteristic of only one

    strange, uncommon, eccentric; see characteristic, unique 1. See syn. study at strange.

peculiar Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • rather: Consider, for example, the following, rather peculiar conversation ' Hi!
  • somewhat: UK general practice is, itself, somewhat peculiar.
  • slightly: This band is worth nothing less than such a display of slightly peculiar devotion.
  • very: They are very peculiar beasts, aren't they?
  • quite: Take the murders, for instance; quite peculiar.
  • so: Home calls, first In tiny whispers, then in that din so peculiar To Lagos.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • have: None of these rocks contain large crystals of feldspar, or have the harsh fracture peculiar to trachyte.
  • make: This was remedied in June 1824, which makes the canal peculiar in that it was built before its Act of Parliament was obtained.
  • notice: Do they notice anything peculiar about the likely outcome of an election?

Modifies a noun

  • fascination: He was a man of peculiar fascination, with a quiet, refined manner which friends found most attractive.
  • odor: The wood exudes a peculiar odor and is used by the Indians in Arizona, California and New Mexico for making baskets.
  • angling: And extras such to help passengers make her dream the peculiar angling.
  • sensation: I can assure our reader's that I sat upon this chair and I must admit that I experienced some rather peculiar sensations.
  • jurisdiction: The church of Putney, which is dedicated to St. Mary, is in the peculiar jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
  • charm: There is a peculiar charm about ' the Rows ' .

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: Anyway if we seemed peculiar to Howard Johnson's that afternoon, the feeling was mutual.
  • feel: She feels peculiar, a bit dizzy and sick and she tries to stand up but can't move her legs!
  • sound: That sounds peculiar, but I want to be a mainstream filmmaker.
  • look: No more than a size three, they look peculiar on her, dressed in odd little shoes.
  • mean: He went on to declare that it was by no means peculiar to the Russian Revolution.
peculiar Quotes

What do you mean, funny? Funny peculiar, or funny ha- ha?

—Hay, Ian pseudonym of  Major-General John Hay Beith

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that yeshould shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

—Bible (NewTestament)