particularity
/pəˌtɪk.jʊˈlær.ɪ.ti/ IELTSAcademic
noun
- 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.
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.