Standard Lemma guide

particularize

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Received-Pronunciation: /pəˈtɪkjʊləɹaɪz/
  • General-American: /pɚˈtɪkjələɹaɪz/

1

verb

Meaning 1

To make particular, as opposed to general; to restrict to a specific or individual case, class etc.; to single out.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To be specific about (individual instances); to go into detail (about), to specify.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To differentiate, make distinct from others.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

be specific about

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Could you please specify your criticism of my paper?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: specify, particularise, specialize, specialise

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: elaborate, lucubrate, expatiate, exposit, enlarge, flesh out, expand, expound, dilate

Narrower terms: spell out

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English particular Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō)bor. Late Latin -izōder. Middle French -iserbor. Middle English -isen English -ize English particularize From particular + -ize.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Spanish: particularizar — transitive