Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Belonging exclusively to or characteristic of a particular person, place, or thing; distinctive: Refers to something that is unique, specific, or special to a single entity or category.
   • Strange, odd, or unusual: Refers to something that is different from what is normal or expected, often in a way that is curious or unsettling.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective (Distinctive):
  • Each region has its own peculiar customs and traditions.
  • A peculiar bond of sympathy existed between them.
• Adjective (Strange/Odd):
  • He has a peculiar habit of talking to his plants.
  • There was a peculiar smell coming from the kitchen.

Advanced Usage

• "Peculiar to": Used to indicate something is unique or exclusive to a specific person, group, or place.
  • This style of architecture is peculiar to the coastal villages.
• "In a peculiar way": Used to describe an odd or unusual manner.
  • She smiled in a peculiar way that made me nervous.

Variants and Related Words

• Peculiarity (noun): A distinctive feature or characteristic; an odd trait.
  • One of the peculiarities of his speech is a slight lisp.
• Peculiarly (adverb): In a strange or unusual manner; particularly, especially.
  • The room was peculiarly quiet.

Synonyms

• Distinctive: Characteristic of one person or thing, and so serving to distinguish it from others.
• Odd: Different from what is usual or expected; strange.
• Unique: Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else.

Antonyms

• Common: Occurring, found, or done often; prevalent.
• Ordinary: With no special or distinctive features; normal.
• Usual: Habitually or typically occurring or done; customary.

Related Idioms

• A peculiar turn of events: An unexpected and strange sequence of occurrences.
  • It was a peculiar turn of events that led him to become the manager.

Adjective

1. characteristic of one only; distinctive or special
   • the peculiar character of the Government of the U.S.- R.B.Taney
2. markedly different from the usual
   • a peculiar hobby of stuffing and mounting bats
   • a man...feels it a peculiar insult to be taunted with cowardice by a woman-Virginia Woolf
3. 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
4. beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
   • a curious hybrid accent
   • her speech has a funny twang
   • they have some funny ideas about war
   • had an odd name
   • the peculiar aromatic odor of cloves
   • something definitely queer about this town
   • what a rum fellow
   • singular behavior