especial

American  

[ih-spesh-uhl] / ɪˈspɛʃ əl /

adjective

1. special; exceptional; outstanding.

   of no especial importance; an especial friend.

2. of a particular kind, or peculiar to a particular one; particular.

   your especial case.

---

especial British  

/ ɪˈspɛʃəl /

adjective

1. unusual; notable; exceptional

   he paid especial attention to her that evening

2. applying to one person or thing in particular; not general; specific; peculiar

   he had an especial dislike of relatives

---

Usage

Especial and especially have a more limited use than special and specially. Special is always used in preference to especial when the sense is one of being out of the ordinary: a special lesson; he has been specially trained. Special is also used when something is referred to as being for a particular purpose: the word was specially underlined for you. Where an idea of pre-eminence or individuality is involved, either especial or special may be used: he is my especial (or special ) friend; he is especially (or specially ) good at his job. In informal English, however, special is usually preferred in all contexts

Commonly Confused

See special.

Other Word Forms

• especialness noun

Etymology

Origin of especial

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French < Latin speciālis pertaining to a particular kind. See special

Explanation

Something especial is even greater or more than it usually is. The letters you get from your Japanese pen pal will be of especial interest to your brother, who collects foreign stamps. You can use the adjective especial to emphasize the unusual or singular nature of something, or its importance. Doctors and nurses need to take especial care to wash their hands often, and it might give your grandmother especial joy to see all of her thirteen grandchildren pose for a photograph together. Especial is less common than its near-relation, special, and both words come from the Latin specialis, "particular."

Example Sentences

“Este ha sido un año especial, es difícil asimilar que se haya acabado”.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026

Under especial scrutiny is Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, the public face of Trump’s deportation ground game.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 30, 2025

En el kínder, tras el diagnóstico de autismo de Ian, su equipo de educación especial llegó a la conclusión de que necesitaba un paraeducador asignado a tiempo completo, dijo Barrera.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2023

En todo el país, aproximadamente 1 de cada 10 estudiantes que califican para recibir servicios de educación especial también se identifican como estudiantes de inglés, según datos federales de educación, y esa proporción está creciendo.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2023

She hated all Trojans, of course; she never forgot the judgment of Paris and she had been Troy’s bitterest enemy during the war, but she felt an especial hatred for Aeneas.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton