Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Relating to a single, specific person, thing, or group, not general: Used to single out an individual element from a broader category.
   • Especially great or intense; special: Used to indicate something that is noteworthy or exceptional.
   • Insisting on very high standards; fastidious: Describes someone who is very careful about details or difficult to please.

2. Noun:

   • A detail or individual item: A specific fact, point, or piece of information.
   • (In logic) A proposition that asserts something about some, but not all, members of a class: A statement that is not universally general.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • She didn't have a particular book in mind; she just wanted something to read. (This singles out a specific, yet unnamed, book from all books.)
  • This is a matter of particular importance to the committee. (This indicates the importance is special or exceptional.)
  • He is very particular about the cleanliness of his workspace. (This describes his fastidious nature.)

• Noun:

  • The contract covers all the general terms, but we need to discuss the particulars. (This refers to the specific details.)
  • The philosopher argued from the particular to the general. (This refers to a specific instance or case.)

Advanced Usage

• "In particular": Especially; specifically.

  • I love classical music, Beethoven in particular. (This phrase highlights a specific element within a general category.)

• "To go into particulars": To describe or discuss the specific details.

  • The report outlines the plan broadly without going into particulars. (This idiom means to provide detailed information.)

Variants and Related Words

• Particularly (adverb): To a higher degree than usual; very. Used to emphasize a specific point.
  • It was a particularly difficult problem to solve.
• Particularity (noun): The quality of being individual or specific; minute detail.
  • The particularity of her description helped us identify the suspect.

Synonyms

• Specific: Clearly defined or identified.
• Special: Better, greater, or otherwise different from what is usual.
• Fastidious: Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail.

Antonyms

• General: Affecting or concerning all or most people or things; widespread.
• Vague: Of uncertain, indefinite, or unclear character or meaning.

Related Phrases

• Nothing in particular: Nothing specific or special.
  • "What are you doing?" "Oh, nothing in particular." (This phrase indicates a lack of a specific plan or focus.)

Adjective

1. providing specific details or circumstances
   • a particular description of the room
2. exacting especially about details
   • a finicky eater
   • fussy about clothes
   • very particular about how her food was prepared
3. first and most important
   • his special interest is music
   • she gets special (or particular) satisfaction from her volunteer work
4. surpassing what is common or usual or expected
   • he paid especial attention to her
   • exceptional kindness
   • a matter of particular and unusual importance
   • a special occasion
   • a special reason to confide in her
   • what's so special about the year 2000?
5. separate and distinct from others of the same group or category
   • interested in one particular artist
   • a man who wishes to make a particular woman fall in love with him
6. unique or specific to a person or thing or category
   • the particular demands of the job
   • has a particular preference for Chinese art
   • a peculiar bond of sympathy between them
   • an expression peculiar to Canadians
   • rights peculiar to the rich
   • the special features of a computer
   • my own special chair

Noun

1. (logic) a proposition that asserts something about some (but not all) members of a class
2. a small part that can be considered separately from the whole
   • it was perfect in all details
3. a fact about some part (as opposed to general)
   • he always reasons from the particular to the general