particular

[ per-tik-yuh-ler, puh-tik- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a single or specific person, thing, group, class, occasion, etc., rather than to others or all; special rather than general:

   one's particular interests in books.

   Synonyms: specific

2. immediately present or under consideration; in this specific instance or place:

   Look at this particular clause in the contract.

   Synonyms: discrete, distinct, specific

3. distinguished or different from others or from the ordinary; noteworthy; marked; unusual:

   She sang with particular warmth at last evening's concert.

   Synonyms: notable

   Antonyms: ordinary

4. exceptional or especial:

   Take particular pains with this job.

5. being such in an exceptional degree:

   a particular friend of mine.

6. dealing with or giving details, as an account or description, of a person; detailed; minute.

   Synonyms: precise, exact, careful, scrupulous

   Antonyms: inexact

7. exceptionally selective, attentive, or exacting; fastidious; fussy:

   to be particular about one's food.

   Synonyms: finicky, finical, discriminating

   Antonyms: undiscriminating

8. Logic.
   1. not general; referring to an indefinite part of a whole class.
   2. (of a proposition) containing only existential quantifiers.
   3. partaking of the nature of an individual as opposed to a class.
9. Law.
   1. noting an estate that precedes a future or ultimate ownership, as lands devised to a widow during her lifetime and after that to her children.
   2. noting the tenant of such an estate.

noun

1. an individual or distinct part, as an item of a list or enumeration.

   Synonyms: particularity, feature

2. Usually particulars. specific points, details, or circumstances:

   to give an investigator the particulars of a case.

3. Logic. an individual or a specific group within a general class.

particular

/ pəˈtɪkjʊlə /

adjective

1. prenominal of or belonging to a single or specific person, thing, category, etc; specific; special

   the particular demands of the job

   no particular reason

2. prenominal exceptional or marked

   a matter of particular importance

3. prenominal relating to or providing specific details or circumstances

   a particular account

4. exacting or difficult to please, esp in details; fussy
5. (of the solution of a differential equation) obtained by giving specific values to the arbitrary constants in a general equation
6. logic (of a proposition) affirming or denying something about only some members of a class of objects, as in some men are not wicked Compare universal
7. property law denoting an estate that precedes the passing of the property into ultimate ownership See also remainder reversion

noun

1. a separate distinct item that helps to form a generalization: opposed to general
2. often plural an item of information; detail

   complete in every particular

3. logic another name for individual
4. philosophy an individual object, as contrasted with a universal See universal
5. in particular
   especially, particularly, or exactly

Other Words From

• over·par·ticu·lar adjective
• over·par·ticu·lar·ly adverb
• unpar·ticu·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of particular¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Late Latin particulāris, equivalent to Latin particul(a) “small part” ( particle ) + -āris -ar ¹; replacing Middle English particuler, from Middle French, from Late Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of particular¹

C14: from Old French particuler, from Late Latin particulāris concerning a part, from Latin particula particle v

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in particular, particularly; specifically; especially:

   There is one book in particular that may help you.

More idioms and phrases containing particular

see in particular .

Synonym Study

See special. Particular, dainty, fastidious imply great care, discrimination, and taste in choices, in details about one's person, etc. Particular implies especially care and attention to details: particular about one's clothes. Dainty implies delicate taste and exquisite cleanliness: a dainty dress. Fastidious implies being difficult to please and critical of small or minor points: a fastidious taste in styles.

Example Sentences

"We found these particular transcription initiating sites in nodules, but not in the roots or any other tissues, suggesting they are for tissue-specific transcription and associated with nodule-specific function," said Ma.

From Science Daily

In particular, the agency said it was following its operational agreement with the county which did not require it to recoup the $50.8 million.

From Los Angeles Times

Greater cell density induces stress that leads to a quicker breakdown of not only synNotch in particular, but also cell surface sensors in general.

From Science Daily

They considered a range of climates and building types, examined several configurations, and paid particular attention to the source of water vapor.

From Science Daily

The NCA has highlighted a particular area that is a “crucible” for organised immigration crime: the crossing between Turkey and Bulgaria, which marks the EU’s external frontier.

From BBC

Related Words

• exceptional
• odd
• peculiar
• personal
• respective
• separate
• single
• singular
• unique
• unusual