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

The peculiarity of this photographic work lies in its modern view, through the people who have kept their clothes as heirlooms and pass them on to the next generation while using them on customary and festive occasions spontaneously, updating the mechanisms of tradition as a process. —Photovogue, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2024

Such peculiarity encourages reconsideration of this otherwise unexceptional comedy. —Armond White, National Review, 23 Oct. 2024

Upcoming as part of Christie’s Important Watches Auction this month is a very interesting Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 5554, with some peculiarities to say the least. —Thomas Wojtowicz, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

The Ig Nobels are designed to honor the intersection of humor, peculiarity, and legitimate scientific achievement, says Karen Hopkin, a science journalist who has helped run all but one ceremony since their inception. —Byhannah Richter, science.org, 13 Sep. 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