particular
One distinct point
The sound pattern of the adjective particular makes it easy to overlook its relation to particle.
That’s worthwhile remembering, because particle is about things that are individually identifiable and limited, and ideas are associated with particular.
In its core use, particular is the opposite of general, in characterizing something that is single and specific.
When used to characterize a person or animal, particular means very selective or attentive to small things: My cats are very particular about their food.
As a noun, particulars (nearly always plural) designates specific points or details about something: Let me brief you on the particulars of the case.
Choosing with care
- discerningHaving keen judgment
- fussyExcessively particular
- pickyExcessively selective or particular
- fastidiousExcessively attentive to detail
demanding · exacting · finicky · persnickety · hard-to-please · critical · discriminating · meticulous
Exactly correct, no error
- exactPerfectly correct, no deviation
- explicitClearly and directly expressed
- definiteClearly established, not vague
- concreteSolid building mixture
distinct · clear-cut · unambiguous · pinpoint · accurate · detailed · specified · certain
Unusual or not even
- quirkyIdiosyncratically unusual
- eccentricUnconventional in character
- unusualNot often encountered
- strangeUnusual or unfamiliar
distinctive · unique · singular · idiosyncratic · unconventional · remarkable · noteworthy · exceptional
selective
Choosing with care
- discerningHaving keen judgment
- fussyExcessively particular
- pickyExcessively selective or particular
fastidious · demanding · exacting · finicky · persnickety · hard-to-please · critical · discriminating · meticulous · scrupulous
precise
Exactly correct, no error
- exactPerfectly correct, no deviation
- explicitClearly and directly expressed
- definiteClearly established, not vague
concrete · distinct · clear-cut · unambiguous · pinpoint · accurate · detailed · specified · certain · designated
odd
Unusual or not even
strange · distinctive · unique · singular · idiosyncratic · unconventional · remarkable · noteworthy · exceptional · special
specifics
Exact details of something
aspect · feature · point · item · facet · component · factor · attribute · characteristic · specification
- philosophy termstruth, reason, knowledge, wisdom, logic
- philosophical termsSocratic, Kantian, Cartesian, Aristotelian, dialectical
- factsfacts, fact, datum, data, detail
- detailsdetail, specific, fact, point, aspect
- Brazilian Educationprofessor, vestibular, colegio, campus, biblioteca
- metaphysicsessence, being, reality, existence, substance theory
particulargeneral
Widespread, not specialized
universal · broad · generic · nonspecific · sweeping
particularunfussy
Not particular or demanding
undemanding · easygoing · indifferent · undiscriminating · nonchalant
- in particularFocusing on one instance
particularly, particulars, particularity, particularities, particularize, particulate, particularism, particularized, particularization