particular

adjective par·tic·u·lar \ pər-ˈti-kyə-lər , pə- , -k(ə-)lər \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of particular

1 : of, relating to, or being a single person or thing

the particular person I had in mind

2 : of, relating to, or concerned with details

gave us a very particular account of the trip

3 a : distinctive among other examples or cases of the same general category : notably unusual

suffered from measles of particular severity

This computer program will be of particular interest to teachers.

b : being one unit or element among others

particular incidents in a story

4 a : concerned over or attentive to details : meticulous

a very particular gardener

b : nice in taste : fastidious

She's very particular about her clothes.

c : hard to please : exacting

never loses patience even with the most particular customers

5 a : denoting an individual member or subclass in logic

b : affirming or denying a predicate to a part of the subject —used of a proposition in logic

"some men are wise" is a particular affirmative

6 obsolete : partial

See particular defined for English-language learners

See particular defined for kids

Examples of particular in a Sentence

The computer program will be of particular interest to teachers.
Pay particular attention to the poet's choice of words.
Our teacher is very particular when it comes to punctuation.

Recent Examples of particular from the Web

Responses are for informational purposes only and individuals should consider whether any general recommendation in these responses are suitable for their particular circumstances based on investment objectives, financial situation and needs.

— nathan bachrach, Cincinnati.com, "Are bonds a 'safe' investment? Simply Money answers.," 19 Apr. 2018
But researchers have discovered that one particular meteorite recovered from the Sudanese desert in 2008 is unique.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Diamonds Trapped in Strange Meteorite Came From Solar System’s Earliest Planets," 19 Apr. 2018
The bracelets were issued in response to reports of several instances of alleged assault at this particular event.

— vera papisova, Teen Vogue, "Sexual Harassment Was Rampant at Coachella 2018," 18 Apr. 2018
His thoughts on this particular issue aren’t exactly surprising.

— yohana desta, HWD, "Film Academy Board Member Resigns with Dramatic Letter: “We Have Failed”," 18 Apr. 2018
Those same tests also showed that Sarah Hart and two of the children had large amounts of a particular drug in their systems, which can result in sleepiness.

— breanna edwards, The Root, "Body Pulled Out Of Ocean Identified as 12-Year-Old Ciera Hart," 18 Apr. 2018
Known as the Jemison-Turner House, this particular old house dates to the 1830s, according to the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation, and it is named after the Jemison family who started building it and the Turner family who finished it.

— bob carlton, AL.com, "Making what's old new again at Alabama's Southern Accents," 18 Apr. 2018
Though the two have attended plenty of events together since announcing their engagement last November, this particular outing was one that made history.

— hilary weaver, Vanities, "Meghan Markle Made History This Morning," 18 Apr. 2018
The recommendation must now be approved by the federal-state Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, which makes final decisions on how this particular portion of BP spill fine money can be used.

— mark schleifstein, NOLA.com, "Coastal board recommends $20 million for parish coastal projects," 18 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'particular.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of particular

Middle English particuler, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin particularis, from Latin particula small part

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

particular Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of particular

circumstantial, minute, particular, detailed mean dealing with a matter fully and usually point by point. circumstantial implies fullness of detail that fixes something described in time and space.

- a circumstantial account of our visit

minute implies close and searching attention to the smallest details.

- a minute examination of a fossil

particular implies a precise attention to every detail.

- a particular description of the scene of the crime

detailed stresses abundance or completeness of detail.

- a detailed analysis of the event

special, especial, specific, particular, individual mean of or relating to one thing or class. special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

- special ingredients

especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

- a matter of especial importance

specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

- children with specific nutritional needs

particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

- a ballet step of particular difficulty

individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

- valued each individual opinion

particular

noun

Definition of particular

1 a : an individual fact, point, circumstance, or detail

a hero in every particular
—Ron Fimrite

b : a specific item or detail of information —usually used in plural

wanted to know all the particulars of the incident

bill of particulars

2 a : an individual or a specific subclass (as in logic) falling under some general concept or term

b : a particular proposition in logic

— in particular

: in distinction from others : specifically

3 archaic : a separate part of a whole

See particular defined for English-language learners

Examples of particular in a Sentence

They wanted to know the facts down to every particular.
requested a bill of particulars for the care he received in the hospital

Recent Examples of particular from the Web

But, whatever the particulars, the discovery Mr Smithwick and Dr Vinther have made is a nice example of convergent evolution, showing that what works today worked in the Cretaceous, too.

— The Economist, "PalaeontologyOne species of dinosaur wore a bandit mask," 26 Oct. 2017
As the detectives investigating the case proceed to ferret out the particulars (sometimes literally—one of the weirder details of the Menendez murders was that the family kept ferrets as pets), the show introduces its cast of supporting characters.

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "Law & Order True Crime," 26 Sep. 2017
Chicago in particular faced a spike in deadly violence, recording 287 more murders last year than in 2015.

— del quentin wilber, WSJ, "Violent Crime, Homicide Rates Rose in 2016 for Second Straight Year," 25 Sep. 2017
Maybe the agreement will eventually fall apart when the particulars of the deal begin to be worked out, and Democrats balk at the amount of border security?

— aaron blake, Washington Post, "The White House’s non-denial denials on its DACA deal with Democrats," 14 Sep. 2017
One of the recurring irksome particulars depicted here is the persistent human inability to be satisfied, such as the tiny old woman in No.

— jim higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'Irksome Particulars': Matt Cook's 100 flip-flops," 16 Oct. 2017
In all other particulars, Smith has been the preeminent climate change denier in Congress.

— michael hiltzik, latimes.com, "Good riddance to Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Tex., the most noxious climate change denier in Congress," 3 Nov. 2017
Some members are demanding more time to look at the particulars — and there won’t be much of it if leadership stays on the ambitious timetable.

— leigh ann caldwell, NBC News, "Obamacare Drama Engulfs House GOP Tax Plan," 1 Nov. 2017
No one came on television the night he was put into a cell to talk about the particulars of his case or cause.

— andrew cohen, Esquire, "Paul Manafort Surrendered to the FBI Monday Morning. He Went Home Monday Night.," 31 Oct. 2017

Origin and Etymology of particular

see ¹particular

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 3

See Words from the same year

particular Synonyms

Synonyms

detail, item, point;

Near Antonyms

aggregate, composite, compound, conglomerate;

entirety, sum, summation, total, totality, whole;

characteristic, component, constituent, element, factor, feature, member;

ingredient;

division, particle, partition, piece, portion, section, segment;

Synonym Discussion of particular

item, detail, particular mean one of the distinct parts of a whole. item applies to each thing specified separately in a list or in a group of things that might be listed or enumerated.

- every item on the list

detail applies to one of the small component parts of a larger whole such as a task, building, painting, narration, or process.

- leave the details to others

particular stresses the smallness, singleness, and especially the concreteness of a detail or item.

- a description that included few particulars

PARTICULAR Defined for English Language Learners

particular

adjective

Definition of particular for English Language Learners

—used to indicate that one specific person or thing is being referred to and no others
: special or more than usual
: having very definite opinions about what is good or acceptable

particular

noun

Definition of particular for English Language Learners

: a specific detail or piece of information

PARTICULAR Defined for Kids

particular

adjective par·tic·u·lar \ pər-ˈti-kyə-lər \

Definition of particular for Students

1 : relating to one person or thing

Each city has its particular problems.

2 : not usual : special

Pay particular attention to correct spelling.

3 : having strong opinions about what is acceptable

He's very particular about food.

4 : being one of several

Which particular bike would you like?

5 : concerned about details

Our teacher is very particular.

—

particularly

adverb

— in particular

1 : that can be specifically named

I wasn't referring to anyone in particular.

2 : more specially than others : especially

She loves flowers and roses in particular.

particular

noun

Definition of particular for Students

: a single fact or detail

The account was correct in every particular.

Law Dictionary

particular

adjective par·tic·u·lar

legal Definition of particular

in the civil law of Louisiana : of or relating to a designated property or to the inheritance of it — compare universal

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particular

Definition of particular

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Origin and Etymology of particular

particular Synonyms

Synonyms

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Related Words

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PARTICULAR Defined for English Language Learners

particular

Definition of particular for English Language Learners

particular

Definition of particular for English Language Learners

PARTICULAR Defined for Kids

particular

Definition of particular for Students

particularly

particular

Definition of particular for Students

Law Dictionary

particular

legal Definition of particular

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