First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1particular
adjective par·tic·u·lar \pə(r)-ˈti-kyə-lər, -k(ə-)lər\
—used to indicate that one specific person or thing is being referred to and no others
: special or more than usual
: having very definite opinions about what is good or acceptable
Full Definition of PARTICULAR
1
: of, relating to, or being a single person or thing <the particular person I had in mind>
2
obsolete : partial
3
: of, relating to, or concerned with details <gave us a very particular account of the trip>
4
a : distinctive among other examples or cases of the same general category : notably unusual <suffered from measles of particular severity> b : being one unit or element among others <particular incidents in a story>
5
a : denoting an individual member or subclass in logic b : affirming or denying a predicate to a part of the subject —used of a proposition in logic <“some men are wise” is a particular affirmative>
6
a : concerned over or attentive to details : meticulous <a very particular gardener> b : nice in taste : fastidious c : hard to please : exacting
See particular defined for English-language learners
See particular defined for kids
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Origin of PARTICULAR
Middle English particuler, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin particularis, from Latin particula small part
Related to PARTICULAR
- Synonyms
- choosy (or choosey), dainty, delicate, demanding, exacting, fastidious, finical, finicking, fussbudgety, fussy, nice, old-maidish, finicky, pernickety [chiefly British], persnickety, picky
- Antonyms
- undemanding, unfastidious, unfussy
Synonym Discussion of PARTICULAR
circumstantial, minute, particular, detailed mean dealing with a matter fully and usually point by point. circumstantial implies fullness of detail that fixes something described in time and space <a circumstantial account of our visit>. minute implies close and searching attention to the smallest details <a minute examination of a fossil>. particular implies a precise attention to every detail <a particular description of the scene of the crime>. detailed stresses abundance or completeness of detail <a detailed analysis of the event>.
special, especial, specific, particular, individual mean of or relating to one thing or class. special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own <special ingredients>. especial may add implications of preeminence or preference <a matter of especial importance>. specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species <children with specific nutritional needs>. particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual <a ballet step of particular difficulty>. individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group <valued each individual opinion>.
special, especial, specific, particular, individual mean of or relating to one thing or class. special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own <special ingredients>. especial may add implications of preeminence or preference <a matter of especial importance>. specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species <children with specific nutritional needs>. particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual <a ballet step of particular difficulty>. individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group <valued each individual opinion>.
Rhymes with PARTICULAR
2particular
noun
: a specific detail or piece of information
Full Definition of PARTICULAR
1
archaic : a separate part of a whole
2
a : an individual fact, point, circumstance, or detail <a hero in every particular — Ron Fimrite> b : a specific item or detail of information —usually used in plural <wanted to know all the particulars of the incident> <bill of particulars>
3
a : an individual or a specific subclass (as in logic) falling under some general concept or term b : a particular proposition in logic
— in particular
: in distinction from others : specifically
See particular defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PARTICULAR
15th century
Synonym Discussion of PARTICULAR
item, detail, particular mean one of the distinct parts of a whole. item applies to each thing specified separately in a list or in a group of things that might be listed or enumerated <every item on the list>. detail applies to one of the small component parts of a larger whole such as a task, building, painting, narration, or process <leave the details to others>. particular stresses the smallness, singleness, and especially the concreteness of a detail or item <a description that included few particulars>.
PARTICULAR Defined for Kids
1particular
adjective par·tic·u·lar \pər-ˈti-kyə-lər\
Definition of PARTICULAR for Kids
1
: relating to one person or thing <Each city has its particular problems.>
2
: not usual : special <Pay particular attention to correct spelling.>
3
: having strong opinions about what is acceptable <He's very particular about food.>
4
: being one of several <Which particular bike would you like?>
5
: concerned about details <Our teacher is very particular.>
— par·tic·u·lar·ly adverb
— in particular
1
: that can be specifically named <I wasn't referring to anyone in particular.>
2
: more specially than others : especially <She loves flowers and roses in particular.>
2particular
noun
Definition of PARTICULAR for Kids
: a single fact or detail <The account was correct in every particular.>
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