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particularity

/pəˌtɪk.jʊˈlær.ɪ.ti/
IELTSAcademic
noun
  1. 1.

    A small detail or a special feature of something. It is often used when one detail matters more than the rest.

    • The report includes every particularity.
    • I noticed a particularity in her handwriting.
  2. 2.

    The quality of being exact, careful, or specific. This use is more formal and often appears in writing.

    • The contract needs greater particularity.
    • He spoke with particularity about the plan.

Adinary Nuance

Particularity is close to detail, specificity, and precision, but it is less common in everyday speech. Writers choose it when they want a more formal or exact word, especially in legal, academic, or descriptive writing. It can mean one special feature, or the quality of being very exact.

In other languages

Vietnamese
tính cụ thể
Spanish
particularidad
Chinese
具体性
Japanese
特殊性
Korean
특수성

Etymology

From Latin particularitas, from particularis meaning 'of a small part' or 'specific'. It entered English through French and older legal and formal writing.

Common phrases

with particularityevery particularitythe particularity ofgreat particularity

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is particularity a common word in everyday English?
No. It is more common in formal writing, academic English, and legal language.
What is the difference between particularity and detail?
Detail is more general and common. Particularity sounds more formal and often means exact detail.
Can I use particularity in business writing?
Yes, especially when you want to sound precise or formal.
Is particularity the same as specificity?
They are close. Specificity usually focuses more on being exact, while particularity can also mean a special feature.