What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
peculiarity
Example
One peculiarity of the old house was the secret room hidden behind a bookshelf. [peculiarity: noun]
Example
Her peculiarities included always wearing mismatched socks and humming to herself when she was nervous. [peculiarities: plural noun]
quirk
Example
His quirk was that he always wore a bowtie, even to casual events. [quirk: noun]
Example
The plot of the movie had a quirky twist at the end that surprised everyone. [quirky: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Quirk is more commonly used than peculiarity in everyday language. Quirk is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while peculiarity is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between peculiarity and quirk?
Peculiarity is typically associated with a more formal tone, while quirk is more informal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
