# particular

/ˌpɑˈtɪkjəɫɝ/ (US) · /pətˈɪkjʊlɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/particular
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. specific

adjective · CEFR B1

used to talk about one specific person, thing, or place rather than a general group.

For teachers: denoting a specific individual, item, or instance as distinct from others of the same kind.

- Is there a particular reason why you chose this restaurant for dinner?
- The investigator focused on one particular detail in the witness's statement that seemed to contradict the physical evidence found at the scene.

### 2. fussy or careful

adjective · CEFR B2

choosing things very carefully or being hard to please.

For teachers: exhibiting great attention to detail; fastidious or difficult to satisfy regarding standards.

- He is very particular about how his coffee is made every morning.
- The editor was notoriously particular about punctuation, often returning manuscripts for the sake of a single misplaced comma.

### 3. special

adjective · CEFR B2

special or extra, often used to show that something is more important than usual.

For teachers: distinguished from others by being noteworthy or exceptional; often used in negative constructions for emphasis.

- The book is of no particular interest to anyone who isn't a history fan.
- While the film was technically competent, the plot offered no particular innovation to the tired tropes of the science fiction genre.

### 4. details

noun · CEFR B2

the small facts or details of a situation.

For teachers: individual facts, points, or items; often used in the plural to refer to the full details of a case.

- The police officer took down the particulars of the accident in her notebook.
- The contract was signed once both parties were satisfied with the particulars regarding the delivery schedule and payment terms.

Usage: Commonly used in the plural form 'particulars'.

### 5. logic/philosophy

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Technical

a single thing or example, rather than a whole group or general idea.

For teachers: an individual instance or object as opposed to a universal or general class.

- The philosopher argued that we learn about the world through particulars.
- In formal logic, a statement is existential if it asserts something about a particular rather than the entire set.

## Examples

- The police asked for every particular of the accident.
- The contract is complete in every particular, covering everything from payment dates to delivery methods.
- While the general theory is widely accepted, scholars continue to debate the particulars of the historical evidence that supports it.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.