What does "peculiar" mean?

1. (strange or odd) strange, unusual, or odd in a way that might be hard to understand. 2. (specific to one thing) belonging only to one particular person, place, or situation. 3. (private or personal) belonging to yourself alone; not shared with others. 4. (church jurisdiction) a church or parish that is not under the control of the local bishop.

How do you use "peculiar"?

Usually followed by the preposition 'to'.

peculiar

adj. · n.

US //pəkˈjuɫjɝ// UK //pɪkjˈuːliə// pe·cu·liar

1 strange or odd (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

strange, unusual, or odd in a way that might be hard to understand.

deviating from the usual or expected; exhibiting strangeness or eccentricity.

Example

The milk had a peculiar smell, so I decided not to drink it.

Example

The witness noted a peculiar clicking sound emanating from the engine just moments before the vehicle came to a complete halt.
2 specific to one thing (adj.)
C1 Advanced Formal

belonging only to one particular person, place, or situation.

belonging exclusively to a specific individual, group, or circumstance; often used with the preposition 'to'.

Example

This type of traditional dance is peculiar to this small mountain village.

Example

The researcher argued that such linguistic patterns are peculiar to the isolated dialects of the northern archipelago.

Usage

Usually followed by the preposition 'to'.
- universal
- general

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3 private or personal (adj.)
C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary

belonging to yourself alone; not shared with others.

pertaining to one's own private property or individual character; not held in common.

Example

He kept his peculiar troubles to himself and never asked for help.

Example

In the old legal documents, the land was described as his peculiar possession, free from any claims by the local lord.
- public
- shared
4 church jurisdiction (n.)
C2 Proficiency British English Technical Formal Religion

a church or parish that is not under the control of the local bishop.

an ecclesiastical district or parish exempt from the jurisdiction of the bishop in whose diocese it lies.

Example

Westminster Abbey is a Royal Peculiar, meaning it answers directly to the monarch.

Example

The legal status of the Royal Peculiars remains a unique vestige of medieval ecclesiastical law within the Church of England.
- exempt jurisdiction

Origin

From Latin pecūliāris (“one's own”), from pecūlium (“private property”), from pecus (“cattle”).