especially

[ih-spesh-uh-lee]

adverb

1. particularly; exceptionally; markedly.

   Be especially watchful when you are out walking alone.

   I love spending time outdoors, especially on sunny days.

   Synonyms: mainly, notably, signally

especially

/ ɪˈspɛʃəlɪ /

adverb

1. in particular; specifically

   for everyone's sake, especially your children's

2. very much

   especially useful for vegans

Usage

See special.

Word History and Origins

Origin of especially¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; especial + -ly

Synonym Study

Especially, chiefly, particularly, principally refer to those cases that seem to be significant. Especially and particularly single out the most prominent case or example (often in order to particularize a general statement): Winter is especially severe on old people. Corn grows well in the Midwest, particularly in Iowa. Chiefly and principally imply that the general statement applies to a majority of the cases in question and have a somewhat comparative force: Owls fly chiefly at night. Crime occurs principally in large cities.

Example Sentences

Over the next 12 months, Moore said “customers’ biggest anxiety” revolves around getting enough of Nvidia’s products, especially with its upcoming Rubin AI platform.

Read more on MarketWatch

We have beaten a lot of big teams recently, but we haven't beaten City for a long time, especially at the Cottage.

Read more on BBC

His "drunken monkey" hypothesis initially met resistance from many scientists, especially primatologists, who argued that primates in the wild do not commonly eat fermented fruits or nectar.

Read more on Science Daily

Two days before the publication of his memoirs in Spain, Juan Carlos appealed in a video to "young Spaniards, especially those who do not know the history of Spain".

Read more on Barron's

Michael Brown, a strategist at broker Pepperstone, suggested that the rally has legs, however—especially since the recent run-up could attract more retail investors to the metal, which is historically a volatile commodity.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• chiefly 
• exclusively 
• notably 
• principally 
• specially 
• specifically 

When To Use

What's the difference between especially and specially?

Especially means particularly or exceptionally, as in That was especially helpful or This road can be dangerous, especially when it’s icy. Specially most commonly means in a special manner or for a special purpose, as in This was specially made or You were specially chosen for this project.Perhaps most confusingly, specially is sometimes used as a synonym of especially, though especially is much more commonly used.Both words are adverbs. Specially is the adverb form of the adjective special. This might be the best way to remember the way specially is typically used, which is to describe something being done in a special way or for a special purpose. On the other hand, the adjective especial is not commonly used. Especially can always be used interchangeably with particularly.Here’s an example of especially and specially used correctly in a sentence.Example: The team worked especially hard to specially make all of these decorations in time for the event.Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between especially and specially.