Specific vs. Peculiar — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 8, 2024
Specific refers to something clearly defined or identified, while peculiar means something unusual or unique to a particular thing or situation.
Difference Between Specific and Peculiar
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Specific denotes clear, exact, and well-defined characteristics, aiming for precision and clarity in identification or description. On the other hand, peculiar encompasses the qualities that make something stand out due to its uniqueness or oddity, often specific to an individual or context but carrying a connotation of strangeness or distinctiveness.
Specificity is crucial in providing detailed and unambiguous information, making it indispensable in contexts like science, where precision is paramount. Peculiar, however, highlights the distinctive or unusual aspects, adding a layer of individuality or uniqueness that can be intriguing or noteworthy.
While specificity helps in reducing misunderstandings by providing clear-cut information, peculiarity can introduce elements of surprise or novelty, making something memorable due to its distinct characteristics.
The choice between specific and peculiar depends on the desired outcome: if the goal is clarity and precision, specific is preferred; if the aim is to highlight uniqueness or oddness, peculiar is more apt.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Clearly defined or identified; exact.
Unusual or characteristic of only one person, thing, or situation.
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Connotation
Precision and clarity.
Uniqueness or oddness.
Usage Context
Science, instructions, and formal descriptions.
Describing unique traits or oddities.
Purpose
To provide detailed and unambiguous information.
To highlight distinctiveness or strangeness.
Implication
There is no room for misunderstanding.
May imply curiosity or intrigue due to uniqueness.
Compare with Definitions
Specific
Particular
She had a specific type of music she liked to listen to while studying.
Peculiar
Unusual
The bird had a peculiar call that distinguished it from others.
Specific
Clearly defined
The scientist provided specific details about the experimental procedure.
Peculiar
Distinctive
His peculiar sense of humor isn't always understood.
Specific
Precise
The recipe called for a specific amount of sugar.
Peculiar
Characteristic
She has a peculiar way of smiling that's endearing.
Specific
Distinct
He was looking for a specific book in the library.
Peculiar
Odd
The peculiar design of the building made it a landmark.
Specific
Dedicated
The fund was created for a specific purpose.
Peculiar
Unique
The ecosystem of the island had many peculiar species.
Specific
Clearly defined or identified
Savings were made by increasing the electricity supply only until it met specific development needs
Peculiar
Not ordinary or usual; odd or strange
Noticed a peculiar odor in the room.
Specific
Relating to species or a species
The differences between them can only be on the specific level
Peculiar
Belonging distinctively or primarily to one person, group, or kind; special or unique
A species peculiar to the high desert.
Specific
(of a duty or a tax) levied at a fixed rate per physical unit of the thing taxed, regardless of its price.
Peculiar
A privilege or property that is exclusively one's own.
Specific
Of or denoting a number equal to the ratio of the value of some property of a given substance to the value of the same property of some other substance used as a reference, such as water, or of a vacuum, under equivalent conditions
Specific dielectric strength
Peculiar
Chiefly British A church or parish under the jurisdiction of a diocese different from that in which it lies.
Specific
A medicine or remedy effective in treating a particular disease or part of the body
He grasped at the idea as though she had offered him a specific for cancer
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.
Specific
A precise detail
I wish I'd put more thought into the specifics
Peculiar
Common or usual for a certain place or circumstance; specific or particular.
Kangaroos are peculiar to Australia.
Specific
Explicitly set forth; definite
Wrote specific instructions.
Peculiar
(dated) One's own; belonging solely or especially to an individual; not shared or possessed by others.
Specific
Clear or detailed in communicating
Be specific when telling us what you need.
Peculiar
(dated) Particular; individual; special; appropriate.
Specific
Limited, distinctive, or unique
Problems specific to small colleges.
Peculiar
That which is peculiar; a sole or exclusive property; a prerogative; a characteristic.
Specific
Intended for, applying to, or acting on a particular thing
A specific remedy for warts.
Peculiar
An ecclesiastical district, parish, chapel or church outside the jurisdiction of the bishop of the diocese in which it is situated.
Specific
Concerned particularly with the subject specified. Often used in combination
"age-specific voting patterns" (A. Dianne Schmidley).
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.
Specific
Relating to, characterizing, or distinguishing a species
A specific name.
Peculiar
Particular; individual; special; appropriate.
While each peculiar power forgoes his wonted seat.
My fate is Juno's most peculiar care.
Specific
Designating a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition.
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.
Specific
Having a remedial influence or effect on a particular disease.
Peculiar
That which is peculiar; a sole or exclusive property; a prerogative; a characteristic.
Revenge is . . . the peculiar of Heaven.
Specific
(Immunology) Having an affinity limited to a particular antibody or antigen.
Peculiar
A particular parish or church which is exempt from the jurisdiction of the ordinary.
Specific
Designating a customs charge levied on merchandise by unit or weight rather than according to value.
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
Specific
Designating a commodity rate applicable to the transportation of a single commodity between named points.
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
Specific
Something particularly fitted to a use or purpose.
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
Specific
A remedy intended for a particular ailment or disorder.
Peculiar
Characteristic of one only; distinctive or special;
The peculiar character of the Government of the U.S.
Specific
A distinguishing quality or attribute.
Specific
Specifics Distinct items or details; particulars.
Specific
Explicit or definite.
Specific
Pertaining to a species, as a taxon or taxa at the rank of species.
Specific
Special, distinctive or unique.
Specific
Intended for, or applying to, a particular thing.
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
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.
Specific
(immunology) limited to a particular antibody or antigen.
Specific
(physics) of a value divided by mass (e.g. specific orbital energy)
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)
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)
Specific
A distinguishing attribute or quality.
Specific
A remedy for a specific disease or condition.
Specific
Specification
Specific
(in the plural) The details; particulars.
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.
Specific
Specifying; definite, or making definite; limited; precise; discriminating; as, a specific statement.
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.
Specific
Anything having peculiar adaption to the purpose to which it is applied.
Specific
A fact about some part (as opposed to general);
He always reasons from the particular to the general
Specific
A medicine that has a mitigating effect on a specific disease;
Quinine is a specific for malaria
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
Specific
Stated explicitly or in detail;
Needed a specific amount
Specific
Relating to or distinguishing or constituting a taxonomic species;
Specific characters
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
Common Curiosities
What does specific mean?
Specific refers to something that is clearly defined or detailed, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Why is specificity important in communication?
Specificity is crucial in communication because it provides clear, unambiguous information, facilitating understanding and reducing confusion.
Can a detail be both specific and peculiar?
Yes, a detail can be both specific in its clarity and peculiar in its uniqueness or oddity.
How does peculiarity affect perception?
Peculiarity can affect perception by highlighting uniqueness, which can evoke curiosity, intrigue, or sometimes unease, depending on the context.
Is being peculiar a negative trait?
Being peculiar is not inherently negative; it often depends on the context and the observer's perspective on uniqueness and deviation from the norm.
How do specific instructions benefit learning?
Specific instructions benefit learning by providing clear, precise information that can help avoid misunderstandings and errors.
How do cultures perceive peculiarity?
Cultural perceptions of peculiarity vary widely, with some cultures celebrating uniqueness and others viewing it with skepticism or disdain.
What is the value of peculiar experiences in personal growth?
Peculiar experiences can be valuable in personal growth by exposing individuals to new perspectives and challenges, fostering adaptability and resilience.
What role does peculiarity play in creativity?
Peculiarity can play a significant role in creativity by introducing unique, unconventional ideas that challenge the norm and inspire innovation.
How does one identify a peculiar characteristic?
A peculiar characteristic can be identified by its deviation from what is typical or expected in a given context.
How can something be peculiar?
Something is peculiar if it is unusual, strange, or distinctive in a way that sets it apart from the norm.
Can a peculiar trait become a specific identifier?
Yes, a peculiar trait can become a specific identifier if it is distinctive enough to clearly mark something or someone as different.
Can something be too specific?
Yes, something can be too specific if excessive details make it overly complicated or difficult to apply in a broader context.
How does specificity enhance scientific research?
Specificity enhances scientific research by providing precise, replicable details necessary for verifying results and advancing knowledge.
Can specificity lead to exclusion?
Specificity can lead to exclusion if it narrows focus or criteria too much, potentially overlooking valuable, broader contributions or perspectives.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
