special
Americanadjective
-
of a distinct or particular kind or character.
a special kind of key.
- Antonyms:
- general
-
being a particular one; particular, individual, or certain.
You'd better call the special number.
-
pertaining or peculiar to a particular person, thing, instance, etc.; distinctive; unique.
the special features of a plan.
-
having a specific or particular function, purpose, etc..
a special messenger.
-
distinguished or different from what is ordinary or usual: to fix something special.
a special occasion;
to fix something special.
- Synonyms:
- singular
-
extraordinary; exceptional, as in amount or degree; especial.
special importance.
-
being such in an exceptional degree; particularly valued.
a special friend.
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Sometimes Offensive. pertaining to people with singular needs or disabilities, or to their education.
disabled students with special needs;
state funding for special schools.
noun
-
specials
plural
-
a special person or thing.
-
a train used for a particular purpose, occasion, or the like.
-
a special edition of a newspaper.
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Theater. a spotlight reserved for a particular area, property, actor, etc..
Give me the coffin special.
-
a temporary, arbitrary reduction in the price of regularly stocked goods, especially food; a particularly worthwhile offer or price.
The special this week is on sirloin steaks.
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Television. a single program not forming part of a regular series.
adjective
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distinguished, set apart from, or excelling others of its kind
-
(prenominal) designed or reserved for a particular purpose
a special tool for working leather
-
not usual or commonplace
-
(prenominal) particular or primary
his special interest was music
-
denoting or relating to the education of physically or mentally handicapped children
a special school
noun
-
a special person or thing, such as an extra edition of a newspaper or a train reserved for a particular purpose
-
a dish or meal given prominence, esp at a low price, in a café, etc
-
slang history a convict given special treatment on account of his education, social class, etc
-
short for special constable
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informal an item in a store that is advertised at a reduced price; a loss leader
verb
Sensitive Note
In the 20th century, special was used freely as a modifier describing services or accessibility resources for people with disabilities or disabled people's functional needs, and sometimes as a euphemism for disabled to label the people themselves. Most euphemistic language for disabilities and people with disabilities is no longer preferred, and special used in this way may be considered offensive, especially when used to describe a person. The phrase special needs is somewhat more accepted, but is less common than it used to be. Instead, when possible, make reference to the specific disability in question. However, the fixed expression special education is still an official designation in public education and continues to be used, even by speakers who otherwise avoid special and its compounds.
Usage
In American English the adjective special is overwhelmingly more common than especial in all senses: He will be of special help if you can't understand the documentation. The reverse is true of the adverbs; here especially is by far the more common: He will be of great help, especially if you have trouble understanding the documentation. Only when the sense “specifically” is intended is specially more idiomatic: The machine was specially designed for use by a left-handed operator.
Synonym Usage
Special, particular, specific refer to something pointed out for attention and consideration. Special means given unusual treatment because of being uncommon: a special sense of a word. Particular implies something selected from the others of its kind and set off from them for attention: a particular variety of orchid. Specific implies plain and unambiguous indication of a particular instance, example, etc.: a specific instance of cowardice.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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specialnessnoun
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interspecialadjective
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nonspecialadjective
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superspecialadjective
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speciallyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of special
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English (adjective), from Latin speciālis “of a given species,” equivalent to speci(ēs) “form, kind, sort” + -ālis adjective suffix; see species, -al 1, especial
Explanation
Special means "better than ordinary." Like the self-portrait you lovingly painted as a surprise for your sweetie's birthday, something special is distinct, and surpasses the norm. Something special is looked upon with affection, surpasses expectations, or has a particular role. It can also be a featured attraction or limited-run occurrence — like when there's a special on television or a special on cheese at the store. Ray Charles said, “Love is a special word, and I use it only when I mean it. You say the word too much and it becomes cheap.” Take this sweet crooner’s advice and don’t wear out special sentiments.
Vocabulary lists containing special
"The Lotus Seed"
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Century 21 Accounting, 9e, Chapters 4-7
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"Glencoe Accounting: Real-World Applications & Connections," Vocabulary from Chapter 11
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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.
See Examples For:
"Going forward we want to do something special in the future. I'm very happy, proud of myself and the way the boys played. We did a lot of hard work."
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
MIAMI—Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sánchez Bezos were special guests in February for the annual dock party at Indian Creek Country Club, where members gathered to meet the famed entrepreneur.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026
Getting to see one is a special occasion, he said, especially given the dire straits the fish are in worldwide.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2026
A nearly 500-page special examination released by Kentucky State Auditor Allison Ball in June raised broader concerns about JCPS’s management and finances.
From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026
It was a special thing, between just us.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
I filmed tons of specials for different networks and streamers in my home and outdoors.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026
"These Christmas specials give us the chance to spend a little more time with characters audiences have taken to their hearts," she said.
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026
Like all of those after-school specials, there’s a distinct element of gratitude that helps the film transcend accusations of corniness or caricature.
From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026
From a pan-African cookout on Juneteenth to $1 drink specials every time the U.S. team scores, these L.A. restaurants and bars are going all out for the 2026 World Cup.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2026
Sunday’s sermon is announced on a billboard identical to the kind for supermarket specials: Believing Is Seeing.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
