peculiarly
peculiarly Lexical Profile
peculiarly Game Scores & Validity
• adverb
In an unusual, odd, or strange manner; more than usually.
"The old clock tower began chiming peculiarly at three in the afternoon."
So as to belong exclusively or characteristically to a particular person, group, place, or thing; uniquely or distinctly.
"Jazz is often celebrated as a peculiarly American art form."
Word Nuance & Usage
When modifying an adjective, 'peculiarly' can mean either 'strangely' (as in 'peculiarly quiet') or 'uniquely and especially' (as in 'a problem peculiarly suited to her skills'), depending on context.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed from the adjective 'peculiar' plus the adverbial suffix '-ly'. 'Peculiar' derives from Latin 'peculiaris' (of private property), from 'peculium' (private property), originally referring to cattle ('pecus'), which was the primary measure of wealth in ancient times.