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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Upcoming as part of Christie’s Important Watches Auction this month is a very interesting Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 5554, with some peculiarities to say the least. Thomas Wojtowicz, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 The Ig Nobels are designed to honor the intersection of humor, peculiarity, and legitimate scientific achievement, says Karen Hopkin, a science journalist who has helped run all but one ceremony since their inception. Byhannah Richter, science.org, 13 Sep. 2024 Among the booths, the spotlight was on leathers with a natural appearance, often in soft colors, glossy enough to enhance the product’s peculiarities. Cristina Manfredi, WWD, 26 Sep. 2024 The peculiarities of Middle Eastern politics and American hegemony also came into play here, offering a larger intellectual and structural context, a motive and opportunity for the deployment of U.S. power abroad. Gideon Rose, Foreign Affairs, 5 July 2017 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

Dictionary Entries Near peculiarity

Cite this Entry

“Peculiarity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peculiarity. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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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