especially

American  

[ih-spesh-uh-lee] / ɪˈspɛʃ ə li /

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

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especially British  

/ ɪˈspɛʃəlɪ /

adverb

1. in particular; specifically

   for everyone's sake, especially your children's

2. very much

   especially useful for vegans

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Usage

See special.

Synonym Usage

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

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Explanation

Especially describes something that can be singled out as better or more than. An especially tall building is extremely tall. Behind many good adverbs is a good adjective; this is especially true for the word especially, which is built from the common adjective special. This means something close to particularly and can be used to describe something that is more than something else. Basketball players are especially tall. Puppies and kittens are especially cute. The President is an especially important person. If you win first place in a piccolo contest then you are especially good at playing piccolo.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

especially

“Every time you’re asking parents, especially low-income parents, to get through more hoops, they won’t get there. They still need to activate the account and it’s a separate process to claim the $1,000,” Boshara said.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 21, 2026

"This slowdown is especially notable for near-term and high-end stays," it said, drawing a parallel with a period in December 2018 when Yellow Vest street protests raged in the capital's streets.

From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026

But she acknowledges that it can be a hassle to get paid back, especially when you’re dealing with a big group.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

The incident highlights the difficulties companies can still face when using AI to speed up or simplify work processes, especially when it is used to interpret words in a specific context.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

I was happy to help him, especially when he said he’d give us a cut.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

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Related Words

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

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