peculiar
gb/pɪkjˈuljɚ/ us/pɪkjˈuljɚ/
B1
English
~ 1300
furcsa, csak valakire/valamire jellemző
B1
1
furcsa
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] is peculiar
There was a peculiar noise coming from the attic.
Furcsa zaj hallatszott a padlásról.
She has a peculiar way of pronouncing certain words.
Furcsán ejt ki bizonyos szavakat.
The soup had a peculiar taste that I couldn't identify.
He gave me a peculiar look before walking away.
Learner examples
This fruit has a peculiar shape.
Ennek a gyümölcsnek furcsa alakja van.
My dog makes a peculiar sound when he sleeps.
A kutyám furcsa hangot ad ki, amikor alszik.
The room has a peculiar smell.
She wears a peculiar hat every day.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'peculiar' with 'particular'. 'Peculiar' means strange, while 'particular' means specific.
Meaning
Strange or unusual
Collocations
peculiar smell
|peculiar habit
|peculiar way
|peculiar look
Synonyms
odd (Very similar in meaning but slightly more informal and common in everyday speech.)
|
strange (Close in meaning, but can suggest more mystery or unfamiliarity.)
Antonyms
normal (Refers to something usual and expected, the opposite of peculiar.)
|
ordinary (Describes something common and without unusual features.)
Themes
description
|perception
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not normal; strange or unusual in a way people notice.
Different from what is normal or expected, often in a way that is noticeable or odd.
B2
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
[something] is peculiar to [someone/something]
This type of accent is peculiar to the north of the country.
Ez a fajta akcentus csak az ország északi részére jellemző.
A sense of humor is peculiar to humans.
A humorérzék csak az emberre jellemző.
The custom is peculiar to this island community.
Learner examples
This food is peculiar to my country.
Ez az étel csak az én országomra jellemző.
That song is peculiar to our culture.
Ez a dal csak a mi kultúránkra jellemző.
The dance is peculiar to this tribe.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'peculiar to' with 'typical of'. The first means uniquely belonging, the second means common but not necessarily unique.
Meaning
Unique to someone or something
Collocations
peculiar to this region
|peculiar institution
|peculiar style
Synonyms
exclusive (Stresses that something belongs only to one person or group.)
|
distinctive (Emphasizes that something has unique qualities that set it apart.)
Antonyms
common (Widely shared or found, not unique to one group.)
Themes
identity
|culture
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Only found in or connected with one person, group, or thing.
Belonging exclusively to a particular person, group, or thing; distinctive.
Grammar
Dictionary form
peculiar
IPA
GB/pɪkjˈuljɚ/
US/pɪkjˈuljɚ/
Syllables & stress
pe - cu - li - ar (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cu)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: peculiar
Word family
Core family
peculiarity
noun C1
peculiarly
adverb C1
Expressions
peculiar to
1/pɪkjˈuljɚ tə/
fixed phrase
formal
Belonging uniquely to something
Used to say something is only found in one person, group, or place.
Examples
- This tradition is peculiar to the southern part of the country.
- The problem is not peculiar to our company; others face it too.