Peculiar vs. Specific: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 29, 2023
Peculiar means unusual or distinct in character, while specific refers to being clearly defined or particular.
Key Differences
Peculiar describes something that is unusual, strange, or distinctive in nature. Specific, on the other hand, refers to something clearly defined, distinct, or particular to a given context or situation.
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Dec 29, 2023
While peculiar often implies an element of uniqueness or oddity, specific denotes precision and particularity without necessarily being unusual. Specific is focused on exactness and detail.
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Peculiar can also suggest a sense of exclusiveness or something characteristic of a particular place, person, or thing. Specific, however, is about being explicit and detailed in description or requirements.
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The term peculiar often carries a connotation of being noteworthy due to its unusual aspects. Specific, in contrast, is used to emphasize clarity and the absence of ambiguity in description or instruction.
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Peculiar may also hint at a sense of eccentricity or uncommonness, whereas specific is neutral and focused on identifying something with precision and explicitness.
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Dec 29, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Connotation
Often implies oddity or uniqueness.
Implies precision and detail.
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Context of Use
Describes uniqueness or exclusiveness.
Used for explicit, detailed descriptions.
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Implication
Suggests eccentricity or uncommonness.
Focuses on clarity and specificity.
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Emphasis
On being noteworthy for unusual aspects.
On being exact and unambiguous.
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Peculiar and Specific Definitions
Peculiar
Distinctive in nature or character.
He has a peculiar way of laughing.
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Specific
Clearly defined or identified.
She gave specific instructions for the project.
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Peculiar
Unique to a particular individual or thing.
That peculiar smell is characteristic of this flower.
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Specific
Explicit or precise.
The contract requires specific terms to be met.
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Peculiar
Unusual or not typical.
The bird's peculiar call made it easy to identify.
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Peculiar
Strikingly different from the usual.
Her peculiar ideas often set her apart at meetings.
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Specific
Clear or detailed in communicating
Be specific when telling us what you need.
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Peculiar
Characteristic of only one person, group, or thing.
This tradition is peculiar to their community.
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Specific
Limited, distinctive, or unique
Problems specific to small colleges.
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Peculiar
Not ordinary or usual; odd or strange
Noticed a peculiar odor in the room.
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Specific
Intended for, applying to, or acting on a particular thing
A specific remedy for warts.
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Peculiar
Belonging distinctively or primarily to one person, group, or kind; special or unique
A species peculiar to the high desert.
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Specific
Concerned particularly with the subject specified. Often used in combination
"age-specific voting patterns" (A. Dianne Schmidley).
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Specific
Relating to, characterizing, or distinguishing a species
A specific name.
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Peculiar
Chiefly British A church or parish under the jurisdiction of a diocese different from that in which it lies.
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Specific
Designating a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition.
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Peculiar
Out of the ordinary; odd; strange; unusual.
The sky had a peculiar appearance before the storm.
It would be rather peculiar to see a kangaroo hopping down a city street.
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Peculiar
Common or usual for a certain place or circumstance; specific or particular.
Kangaroos are peculiar to Australia.
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Specific
(Immunology) Having an affinity limited to a particular antibody or antigen.
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Peculiar
(dated) One's own; belonging solely or especially to an individual; not shared or possessed by others.
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Specific
Designating a customs charge levied on merchandise by unit or weight rather than according to value.
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Specific
Designating a commodity rate applicable to the transportation of a single commodity between named points.
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Peculiar
That which is peculiar; a sole or exclusive property; a prerogative; a characteristic.
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Peculiar
An ecclesiastical district, parish, chapel or church outside the jurisdiction of the bishop of the diocese in which it is situated.
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Peculiar
One's own; belonging solely or especially to an individual; not possessed by others; of private, personal, or characteristic possession and use; not owned in common or in participation.
And purify unto himself a peculiar people.
Hymns . . . that Christianity hath peculiar unto itself.
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Peculiar
Particular; individual; special; appropriate.
While each peculiar power forgoes his wonted seat.
My fate is Juno's most peculiar care.
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Peculiar
Unusual; singular; rare; strange; as, the sky had a peculiar appearance.
Beauty, which, either walking or asleep,Shot forth peculiar graces.
For naught so vile that on the earth doth live,But to the earth some special good doth give.
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Peculiar
That which is peculiar; a sole or exclusive property; a prerogative; a characteristic.
Revenge is . . . the peculiar of Heaven.
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Specific
Pertaining to a species, as a taxon or taxa at the rank of species.
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Peculiar
A particular parish or church which is exempt from the jurisdiction of the ordinary.
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Peculiar
Beyond or deviating from the usual or expected;
A curious hybrid accent
Her speech has a funny twang
They have some funny ideas about war
Had an odd name
The peculiar aromatic odor of cloves
Something definitely queer about this town
What a rum fellow
Singular behavior
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Peculiar
Unique or specific to a person or thing or category;
The particular demands of the job
Has a paraticular preference for Chinese art
A peculiar bond of sympathy between them
An expression peculiar to Canadians
Rights peculiar to the rich
The special features of a computer
My own special chair
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Specific
Serving to identify a particular thing (often a disease or condition), with little risk of mistaking something else for it.
A highly specific test, specific and nonspecific symptoms
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Peculiar
Markedly different from the usual;
A peculiar hobby of stuffing and mounting bats
A man...feels it a peculiar insult to be taunted with cowardice by a woman
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Specific
Being a remedy for a particular disease on a deeper level, rather than just masking the symptoms
Quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria.
Any improvement in secondary sciatica is probably due to the analgesic action of the sodium salicylate, but in primary sciatica, in all likelihood “rheumatic,” the effect of the sodium salicylate appears to be specific rather than symptomatic.
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Peculiar
Characteristic of one only; distinctive or special;
The peculiar character of the Government of the U.S.
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Specific
(physics) of a value divided by mass (e.g. specific orbital energy)
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Specific
(physics) similarly referring to a value divided by any measure which acts to standardize it (e.g. thrust specific fuel consumption, referring to fuel consumption divided by thrust)
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Specific
(physics) a measure compared with a standard reference value by division, to produce a ratio without unit or dimension (e.g. specific refractive index is a pure number, and is relative to that of air)
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Specific
Of or pertaining to a species; characterizing or constituting a species; possessing the peculiar property or properties of a thing which constitute its species, and distinguish it from other things; as, the specific form of an animal or a plant; the specific qualities of a drug; the specific distinction between virtue and vice.
Specific difference is that primary attribute which distinguishes each species from one another.
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Specific
Specifying; definite, or making definite; limited; precise; discriminating; as, a specific statement.
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Specific
Exerting a peculiar influence over any part of the body; preventing or curing disease by a peculiar adaptation, and not on general principles; as, quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria.
In fact, all medicines will be found specific in the perfection of the science.
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Specific
Anything having peculiar adaption to the purpose to which it is applied.
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Specific
A fact about some part (as opposed to general);
He always reasons from the particular to the general
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Specific
A medicine that has a mitigating effect on a specific disease;
Quinine is a specific for malaria
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Specific
(sometimes followed by `to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique;
Rules with specific application
Demands specific to the job
A specific and detailed account of the accident
Nonspecific enteritis
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Specific
Relating to or distinguishing or constituting a taxonomic species;
Specific characters
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Specific
Being or affecting a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition; used also of stains or dyes used in making microscope slides;
Quinine is highly specific for malaria
A specific remedy
A specific stain is one having a specific affinity for particular structural elements
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Specific
Particular and distinct.
He requested a specific type of paint for his art.
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Specific
Pertaining uniquely to a particular subject.
The book focuses on the specific challenges of mountain climbing.
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Specific
Limited to one particular thing.
The medicine has a specific effect on the illness.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is specific always related to details?
Yes, it implies precision and explicit detail.
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Dec 29, 2023
Can peculiar be positive?
Yes, it can positively highlight uniqueness or distinctiveness.
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How is specific defined?
Specific refers to being clearly defined and particular.
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How do you use peculiar in a sentence?
Describe something unusual or characteristic, like a peculiar habit.
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What context is specific best used in?
When clarity or exactness is needed, like in instructions.
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Can peculiar be synonymous with unique?
Yes, in the context of being distinct or one-of-a-kind.
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Can peculiar describe a person?
Yes, it can describe a person's unique or unusual traits.
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How does specific differ from general?
Specific refers to particular details, while general is more broad.
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What is the meaning of peculiar?
Peculiar means unusual or distinctive in character.
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Can something be both peculiar and specific?
Yes, something can be both unusual (peculiar) and clearly defined (specific).
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Does peculiar imply a negative connotation?
It can, but it often simply highlights something's unusual aspect.
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Dec 29, 2023
Is being specific important in communication?
Yes, it helps avoid misunderstandings by providing clarity.
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Is specific used in technical contexts?
Yes, especially where precision is required, like in science or law.
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How do you make instructions more specific?
By adding details and removing ambiguity.
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How do you ensure specificity in writing?
By choosing precise words and providing detailed descriptions.
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What’s an example of a peculiar phenomenon?
A rare astronomical event could be described as peculiar.
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Is being specific a skill?
Yes, especially in writing or communication, being specific is a valuable skill.
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Can peculiar refer to cultural practices?
Yes, it can describe practices unique to a certain culture.
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Can peculiar be used positively in art?
Absolutely, to describe distinct or innovative styles.
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Can a peculiar detail also be a specific one?
Yes, if it's both unusual and clearly defined.
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Dec 29, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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