peculiarity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "peculiarity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a distinctive feature or characteristic of something or someone, often implying something unusual or unique. Example: "The peculiarity of her accent made her stand out in the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet the first peculiarity of the party is that it in fact has no programme, only platforms for specific elections.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nor is it an inexplicable peculiarity that people with no reliable source of income had shelled out what little they had, and more, on Tiens products.

The Guardian

A more fundamental reform, for instance, would have tried to break free of the American peculiarity that ties most private health insurance to employers rather than individuals.

The Economist

(During the civil war Ivan Bunin, a writer, noted the "extreme repetitiveness" of Russian history, "its fatal peculiarity of always moving forward in circles").A case can be made that this arrangement works quite well.

The Economist

Improved communications with the outside world have made Indonesia's traditional Muslims more conscious of their peculiarity.

The Economist

Perhaps what a British law lord, the late Lord Devlin, called "the lamp that shows that freedom lives" burns brighter in Asia these days.It is often thought that juries are a peculiarity of common-law countries such as America and Britain.

The Economist

What was once regarded as a peculiarity of lesser organisms has now been found to be true in human beings, too.

The Economist

This peculiarity of anatomy is often ascribed to fetal testosterone exposure because it is common in men and much rarer in women, and because there seems to be a correlation between the point in gestation when it appears and surges of testosterone in the womb.

The Economist

Perhaps most shocking of all, Mr Romney began bringing in more money than Mr Obama, despite the president's reputation as a fund-raising prodigy.Indeed, Mr Romney will soon be outspending Mr Obama but thanks to a peculiarity of campaign-finance law, the reverse is the case at the moment.

The Economist

But there is one peculiarity in the present case.

The Economist

It did not: the numbers suggest little fraud.Invigilation was reinforced by an army of reporters from local radio stations who whizzed around the polling stations asking tough questions of officials and voters, broadcasting every irregularity and peculiarity.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "peculiarity" when you want to emphasize a unique, often slightly odd, characteristic of something. It's useful for highlighting what makes something stand out.

Common error

While "peculiarity" is a valid word, in highly formal or professional writing, consider alternatives like "distinctive feature" or "unique attribute" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The noun "peculiarity" functions primarily to denote a unique or distinctive characteristic. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and commonly used. It often highlights an aspect that is unusual or specific to something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "peculiarity" is a valid and commonly used noun that refers to a unique or distinctive characteristic. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. It is frequently found in news and media, science, and encyclopedia contexts. When writing, consider using "peculiarity" to emphasize what makes something stand out, but be mindful of the context and consider alternatives like "distinctive feature" or "unique attribute" for more formal settings. Overusing "peculiarity" in professional contexts may reduce the text's overall impact. Overall, the word is a valuable addition to enrich one's vocabulary, enabling more nuanced and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinctive feature

Focuses on a notable characteristic that sets something apart.

distinctive quality

Emphasizes a characteristic that is easy to recognize.

unique attribute

Highlights an exclusive characteristic.

odd characteristic

Emphasizes the strangeness or unconventionality of a trait.

unusual trait

Highlights a rare or uncommon quality.

specific trait

Highlights a particular and defined characteristic.

singular aspect

Underscores a specific and unique element.

uncommon feature

Stresses the rarity of the characteristic.

idiosyncratic quality

Focuses on a unique and personal characteristic.

unconventional aspect

Focuses on an unusual or non-standard element.

FAQs

How to use "peculiarity" in a sentence?

You can use "peculiarity" to describe a unique or unusual characteristic of something. For example, "The "peculiarity of his accent" made him easily identifiable."

What can I say instead of "peculiarity"?

You can use alternatives like "distinctive feature", "unique attribute", or "odd characteristic" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "peculiarity" or "characteristic"?

"Peculiarity" implies a unique or unusual characteristic, while "characteristic" is a more general term for any feature. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the unusual nature of the trait.

What's the difference between "peculiarity" and "oddity"?

While both words suggest something unusual, "peculiarity" refers to a distinctive characteristic that might be interesting or notable, whereas "oddity" often implies something strange or eccentric. Thus, "peculiarity" is more formal than "oddity".