especially

[ih-spesh-uh-lee]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR especially ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

particularly; exceptionally; markedly: Be especially watchful.

Nearby words

Origin of especially

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at especial, -ly

SYNONYMS FOR especially

signally, notably; mainly.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR especially ON THESAURUS.COM

Can be confusedespecially specially (see synonym study at the current entry) (see usage note at special)

Synonym study

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 Middle West, 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.

Usage note

See special.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for especially

The benefits of incumbency are quite potent, especially in the all-important area of raising campaign funds.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Congress|Dean Obeidallah|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Two factors made Hiram Revels especially interesting to the Washington establishment.
The Black Man Who Replaced Jefferson Davis in the Senate|Philip Dray|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This is especially striking, though hardly surprising, in the case of Priebus, Mr. Outreach.
Today’s GOP: Still Cool With Racist Pandering?|Michael Tomasky|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Terrorism is bad news anywhere, but especially rough on Odessa, where the city motto seems to be “make love, not war.”
Is Putin Turning to Terrorism in Ukraine?|Anna Nemtsova|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST

And, especially when it comes to the middle, personality counts.
Why This Liberal Hearts Huckabee|Sally Kohn|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It was especially because Vaudrey appeared to be so happy, that his young wife was so contented.
His Excellency the Minister|Jules Claretie
Recently he has been even more than usually kind to us, especially to Edith.
Coningsby|Benjamin Disraeli
“Especially when he has the privilege of your particular favour,” added Nasmyth.
The Greater Power|Harold Bindloss
I need hardly remark that every name in the Bible, especially Hebrew names, has a meaning of its own.
Pleasure & Profit in Bible Study|Dwight Moody
What I have to say will be upon this point: Why Puritanism is especially fitted to elevate the despised races.
The American Missionary -- Volume 33, No. 02, February, 1879|Various

British Dictionary definitions for especially

especially

adverb

in particular; specificallyfor everyone's sake, especially your children's

very muchespecially useful for vegans

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

Word Origin and History for especially

especially

adv.

c.1400, from especial + -ly (2).

especially

adverb

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of especially

Synonym study

Usage note

Examples from the Web for especially

especially

adverb

especially