How to pronounce peculiar
Say it like puh-KYOO-lyer. Peculiar has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KYOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce peculiar. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- puh
- KYOO
- lyer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Peculiar pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- KYOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- lyerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of peculiar
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: pih-KYOO-lyuh.
What does peculiar mean?
- beyond or deviating from the usual or expected“a curious hybrid accent”“her speech has a funny twang”
- unique or specific to a person or thing or category“the particular demands of the job”“has a particular preference for Chinese art”
- 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”
Where does peculiar come from?
From Latin pecūliāris (“one's own”), from pecūlium (“private property”), from pecus (“cattle”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying peculiar
How do you pronounce peculiar?
Say puh-KYOO-lyer. The American pronunciation is /pəˈkjuljɚ/. In British English it is /pɪˈkjuːljə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in peculiar?
Peculiar has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KYOO). Broken into parts: puh · KYOO · lyer.
Is peculiar pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /pɪˈkjuːljə/ (pih-KYOO-lyuh).