peculiarity

noun

pe·​cu·​liar·​i·​ty pi-ˌkyül-ˈyer-ə-tē How to pronounce peculiarity (audio)
-ˈya-rə-;
-ˌkyü-lē-ˈer-ə-,
-ˈa-rə-
plural peculiarities
1
: the quality or state of being peculiar
2
: a distinguishing characteristic
3

Examples of peculiarity in a Sentence

the peculiarity of his appearance It is a peculiarity of the house that there is no front door. her peculiarities as a writer Scientists tried to explain some peculiarities in the results of the experiment.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Antoine’s peculiarities perhaps cut deepest, even seemingly superficial ones. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025 There are echoes of the early days of thermodynamics, which began with humble questions about how machines work and ended up speaking to the arrow of time, the peculiarities of living matter, and the fate of the universe. Quanta Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025 Photo: Wilson Webb/Weinstein Company/Everett Collection Blame it on the peculiarities of awards season that Blanchett was considered the lead in this exquisite romantic drama while Rooney Mara, who’s actually the main character, was slotted as the supporting role. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2025 This Texas peculiarity is especially confounding to Democratic legislators in Sacramento and Springfield, who would never dream of allowing Republicans to do likewise in California and Illinois, states where Democrats have legislative supermajorities like the GOP does in Texas. Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for peculiarity

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of peculiarity was in 1606

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Cite this Entry

“Peculiarity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peculiarity. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

peculiarity

noun
pe·​cu·​liar·​i·​ty pi-ˌkyül-ˈyar-ət-ē How to pronounce peculiarity (audio)
-ˌkyü-lē-ˈar-
plural peculiarities
1
: the quality or state of being peculiar
2
: something different or individual
3
: something odd or abnormal

More from Merriam-Webster on peculiarity

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