How to spell peculiar
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
peculiar
P-E-C-U-L-I-A-R
The part to watch: it ends -iar. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Peculiar ends -iar, which sounds like "ee-er". It has only one c.
Peculiar is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with an -ar ending. These words end in a sound like "er", but it is spelt -ar. Saying the ending as "ar" while you write it helps.
Common mistakes with peculiar
- Wrong: peculierRight: peculiar
- Wrong: peculerRight: peculiar
A way to remember it
Something peculiar is odd, and peculiar ends like "liar".
Peculiar in syllables
pe · cu · li · ar
Peculiar has 4 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
The soup had a peculiar smell.
Peculiar on the statutory list
Peculiar is on the Year 3 and 4 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England. Children are taught these words in Years 3 and 4, when they are 7 to 9.
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with peculiar, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with an -ar ending
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as peculiar.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell peculiarity?
Peculiarity is peculiar + ity, keeping the -iar.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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