Synonyms

especially

American

[ih-spesh-uh-lee] / ɪˈspɛʃ ə li /

adverb

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 British

/ ɪˈspɛʃəlɪ /

adverb

in particular; specifically

for everyone's sake, especially your children's
very much

especially useful for vegans

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

See special.

Related Words

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.

Etymology

Origin of especially

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Still, Stafford will turn 38 the day before the Super Bowl, and it wouldn’t be much of a curveball if that were his last game, especially if the Rams were to win.

From Los Angeles Times

He said: "We need everyone to support us from minute one. Especially the team, especially the players. If we get that support, anything can happen. Magic can happen."

From BBC

Slightly colder weather is expected across northern areas on Thursday and into Friday, with some snow likely over high ground in Scotland, especially across the Grampians and Highlands.

From BBC

Avoiding treatment for significant pain or fever can carry known risks for both the mother and the baby, especially when maternal fever goes untreated.

From Science Daily

The collapse of dark matter cores is especially intriguing because it may leave observable signatures, including possible connections to black hole formation.

From Science Daily

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023