especial
Americanadjective
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special; exceptional; outstanding.
of no especial importance; an especial friend.
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of a particular kind, or peculiar to a particular one; particular.
your especial case.
adjective
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unusual; notable; exceptional
he paid especial attention to her that evening
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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
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.
“Este ha sido un año especial, es difícil asimilar que se haya acabado”.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026
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
La disponibilidad de intérpretes “no es tan constante como nos gustaría”, afirma Ibi Holiday, docente de educación especial de la escuela primaria Rising Star de Seattle.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2023
Otra opción es trabajar con un representante acreditado: no un abogado, sino alguien con formación especial que trabaja con abogados de inmigración en una organización sin ánimo de lucro como CHIRLA.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 18, 2023
There were two Privates of especial interest to me assigned to this detachment who were not among those who returned.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
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.
