peculiarity

noun

pe·​cu·​liar·​i·​ty pi-ˌkyül-ˈyer-ə-tē 

-ˈya-rə-;

-ˌkyü-lē-ˈer-ə-,

-ˈa-rə-

plural peculiarities

1

: the quality or state of being peculiar

2

: a distinguishing characteristic

3

: oddity, quirk

Synonyms

• crotchet
• curiosity
• eccentricity
• erraticism
• idiosyncrasy
• individualism
• kink
• mannerism
• oddity
• quiddity
• quip
• quirk
• singularity
• tic
• trick
• twist

Examples of peculiarity in a Sentence

the peculiarity of his appearance

It is a peculiarity of the house that there is no front door.

her peculiarities as a writer

Scientists tried to explain some peculiarities in the results of the experiment.

Recent Examples on the Web

These themes will seem familiar to fans of shows like Schitt’s Creek: acceptance, self-love, the peculiarities of a small town, feeling seen, finding community. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024

The United States is a country—one with a claim to being the world's most important—even if there exist local and regional peculiarities, as anywhere. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

But the peculiarities of soccer’s squad rules at the Olympics mean that a quarterfinal exit isn’t evidence of a falling sky. —Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 2 Aug. 2024

An Australian claymation wonder, Memoir of a Snail is an odd yet captivating tale of memory, loss, and the peculiarities of human (and snail) behavior. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

peculiarity

noun

pe·​cu·​liar·​i·​ty pi-ˌkyül-ˈyar-ət-ē 

-ˌkyü-lē-ˈar-

plural peculiarities

1

: the quality or state of being peculiar

2

: something different or individual

3

: something odd or abnormal