peculiar
gb/pɪkjˈuljɚ/ us/pɪkjˈuljɚ/
B1
English
~ 1300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Strange or unusual
Not normal; strange or unusual in a way people notice.
Usage pattern:
[something] is peculiar
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'peculiar' with 'particular'. 'Peculiar' means strange, while 'particular' means specific.
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.)
Collocations
peculiar smell
|peculiar habit
|peculiar way
|peculiar look
Themes
description
|perception
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There was a peculiar noise coming from the attic.
- She has a peculiar way of pronouncing certain words.
- 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.
- My dog makes a peculiar sound when he sleeps.
- The room has a peculiar smell.
- She wears a peculiar hat every day.
adjective
formal
B2
relation
2
Unique to someone or something
Only found in or connected with one person, group, or thing.
Usage pattern:
[something] is peculiar to [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'peculiar to' with 'typical of'. The first means uniquely belonging, the second means common but not necessarily unique.
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.)
Collocations
peculiar to this region
|peculiar institution
|peculiar style
Themes
identity
|culture
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This type of accent is peculiar to the north of the country.
- A sense of humor is peculiar to humans.
- The custom is peculiar to this island community.
Learner examples
- This food is peculiar to my country.
- That song is peculiar to our culture.
- The dance is peculiar to this tribe.
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.