especial

[ ih-spesh-uhl ]

See synonyms for especial on Thesaurus.com

adjective

special; exceptional; outstanding: of no especial importance; an especial friend.
of a particular kind, or peculiar to a particular one; particular: your especial case.

Origin of especial

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

confusables note For especial

See special.

Other words from especial

es·pe·cial·ness, noun

Words Nearby especial

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use especial in a sentence

It's like those cases where conservatives approve of "our" blacks and Latinos with an especial zeal.
The Obama Brand | Michael Tomasky | February 12, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Sylvia Gereda, founder and editor in chief of Informe especial, discusses the devastating violence some women endure.
Women in the World: Hillary Clinton, Meryl Streep & More Best Moments from the Summit | The Daily Beast Video | March 9, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Alford speaks of this as remarkable; but vision is the especial promise of Wisdom, therefore of Solomon, son of David.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature | Moncure Daniel Conway
Augustus Theodore swings on a chair before the fire, which he keeps at work for his own especial consolation.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV. | Various
I write to you as a friend, and by Mariamne's especial order, to take care of yourself.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV. | Various

Books of impassioned poetry, and descriptions of heroic character and achievements, were her especial delight.
Madame Roland, Makers of History | John S. C. Abbott
Your friends will, unless there is some especial reason for a call in the interval, pay their visit upon the day named.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence Hartley

British Dictionary definitions for especial

especial

/ (ɪˈspɛʃəl) /

adjective(prenominal)

unusual; notable; exceptional: he paid especial attention to her that evening
applying to one person or thing in particular; not general; specific; peculiar: he had an especial dislike of relatives

Origin of especial

C14: from Old French, from Latin speciālis individual; see special

usage For especial

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

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

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