peculiar

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'peculiar' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something unusual or abnormal. For example, "The peculiar way he talks suggests he's not from around here."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a peculiar thing, when you think about it, that a miserable pun has become as important as the Queen's Speech and The Wizard of Oz.

The Guardian

Some outside observers picked up on this peculiar form of pride – a kind of anti-nationalist nationalism – and gently mocked it: Timothy Garton Ash, for instance, spoke of Deutsche Industrie-Normen – a German industrial standard – in "coming to terms with the past"; others crowned the Germans "world champions in remembrance".

The Guardian - Opinion

Worshippers reported foul aromas and "a peculiar taste" during services, praising the Lord with a handkerchief pressed to their nostrils.

The Guardian

Nick Clegg has said that David Cameron's "peculiar" plans to renegotiate the terms of Britain's EU membership ahead of a referendum by the end of 2017 are "condemned to failure".

The Guardian

These methods are not peculiar to the England team.

The Guardian - Sport

Then there were her own peculiar wants: her love for Mini Babybels, swimming, BBC nature documentaries and cartoonishly huge sticks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

DH Lawrence perhaps recognised a similar sensation when, in his semi-autobiographical novel, Kangaroo (1923), Lovat – the pseudonym the author used for the book, commented upon a night-time walk in the outback, and felt overwhelmed by its peculiar vibe the land gave off.

The Guardian - Film

A corpse in Australia contends with humidity, intense ultraviolet rays, peculiar soils and geology and a unique array of insects and animals.

The Guardian

But we're finding out that once we miss the chance to recycle plastics, they live on in peculiar and troubling ways.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is that capacity to place yourself above the law and to make those who have been wronged feel "quite apologetic" that is peculiar to the church.

The Guardian

Burial was the norm; cremation a peculiar foreign custom.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "peculiar" with a prepositional phrase specifying to whom or what it is peculiar. For example, "peculiar to this region".

Common error

Avoid using "peculiar" to describe universally common traits. Its impact diminishes if applied too broadly; reserve it for genuinely unique attributes or situations.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "peculiar" functions primarily to describe nouns, indicating something that deviates from the norm or is specific to a certain context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is usable in written English. Examples provided in Ludwig illustrate its use in describing appearances, tastes, and situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "peculiar" is an adjective used to describe something unusual, strange, or specific to a certain context. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it is commonly found in various contexts, including News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its versatility in describing diverse attributes, highlighting its distinctiveness. When using this adjective, it is advisable to ensure the context clarifies whether you mean 'unusual' or 'specific to', and also avoid using it to describe universally common traits. Related alternatives include "uncommon", "unusual", and "unique", each with its own nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncommon

Focuses on the rarity of something.

unusual

Highlights the divergence from the norm.

strange

Emphasizes the odd or unfamiliar nature of something.

odd

Suggests a deviation from what is expected or typical.

unique

Points out the singular and distinct quality of something.

distinctive

Emphasizes the quality of standing out or being easily recognizable.

exceptional

Highlights something that is notably different and often superior.

specific

Indicates something that is particular to a certain thing or situation.

characteristic

Refers to a feature that is typical or distinctive of a person, thing, or place.

particular

Implies that something belongs specifically to someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "peculiar" in a sentence?

"Peculiar" can be used to describe something that is unusual or strange, as in, "The sky had a "peculiar appearance" before the storm." It can also mean something specific or belonging solely to someone.

What can I say instead of "peculiar"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "uncommon", "unusual", "strange", or "unique".

Is it correct to say something is "very peculiar"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Adding "very" intensifies the degree of strangeness or unusualness. However, consider whether a stronger synonym might be more effective.

What's the difference between "peculiar" and "eccentric"?

"Peculiar" generally refers to something unusual or specific, while "eccentric" usually describes someone's behavior or personality as unconventional and slightly strange.