Peculiar means strange, unusual, or not quite normal in a way that stands out. It can also mean something that belongs especially to one person, group, or place.
“Peculiar” comes from Latin *peculiaris*, meaning “of one’s own,” from *peculium*, “private property” or “cattle.” It first meant “belonging only to one person” and later shifted toward “odd” or “special.”
The word started by meaning “private property,” especially your own cattle—what was peculiarly yours. Over time, anything that was uniquely yours began to seem a bit odd to others, and the word slid toward “strange.” So when you call something peculiar, you’re also saying it doesn’t quite fit the shared norm.
Women and gender-nonconforming people have often been labeled “peculiar” or “odd” for stepping outside traditional roles, with such language used to marginalize or pathologize difference. This reflects broader social control through labeling.
Use “peculiar” for situations or phenomena rather than as a dismissive label for people, especially where it might reinforce stereotypes about marginalized groups. Prefer more precise descriptors of behavior or conditions.
["unusual","atypical","distinctive","unexpected"]
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.