peculiarity

[ pi-kyoo-lee-ar-i-tee, -kyool-yar- ]

noun

, plural pe·cu·li·ar·i·ties.

1. a trait, manner, characteristic, or habit that is odd or unusual.

   Synonyms: idiosyncrasy

2. oddity; singularity; eccentricity.

   Synonyms: irregularity

3. a distinguishing quality or characteristic.
4. the quality or condition of being peculiar.

peculiarity

/ pɪˌkjuːlɪˈærɪtɪ /

noun

1. a strange or unusual habit or characteristic
2. a distinguishing trait, etc that is characteristic of a particular person; idiosyncrasy
3. the state or quality of being peculiar

Word History and Origins

Origin of peculiarity¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Late Latin pecūliāritās “private property, special care,” a derivative of pecūliāris peculiar + -itas -ity ( def )

Synonym Study

See eccentricity. See feature.

Example Sentences

“One of the peculiarities of squares is their screwy propensity to glorify rogues and scoundrels.”

From Los Angeles Times

All that goodwill and affection, not just among teammates but between competitors, who represented diversity among and within nations, whatever the peculiarities of their individual governments and nativist movements.

From Los Angeles Times

They have not been awarded medals, but with their quirky displays of passion, patriotism and downright peculiarity, they have provided plenty of highlights.

From BBC

William James brushed off Darwin’s idea, arguing that music is simply a byproduct of how our minds work — a “mere incidental peculiarity of the nervous system.”

From New York Times

It acts as the “popular prosecution,” a peculiarity of Spanish law that allows individuals or entities to take part in certain criminal cases even when they haven’t been directly harmed by the accused.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• distinctiveness
• eccentricity
• foible
• idiosyncrasy
• particularity
• quirk
• trait