especially

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 for especially

See special.

Words nearby especially

español, Espartero, esparto, espec., especial, especially, esperance, Esperanto, espial, espionage, Espírito Santo

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

ESPECIALLY VS. SPECIALLY

What's the difference between especially and specially?

Especially means particularly or exceptionally, as in That was especially helpful or This road can be dangerous, especially when it’s icy. Specially most commonly means in a special manner or for a special purpose, as in This was specially made or You were specially chosen for this project.

Perhaps most confusingly, specially is sometimes used as a synonym of especially, though especially is much more commonly used.

Both words are adverbs. Specially is the adverb form of the adjective special. This might be the best way to remember the way specially is typically used, which is to describe something being done in a special way or for a special purpose. On the other hand, the adjective especial is not commonly used. Especially can always be used interchangeably with particularly.

Here’s an example of especially and specially used correctly in a sentence.

Example: The team worked especially hard to specially make all of these decorations in time for the event.

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between especially and specially.

Quiz yourself on especially vs. specially!

Should especially or specially be used in the following sentence?

I had this cake _____ made for your birthday.

How to use especially in a sentence

Lots of creators have personal websites where they sell their programs or merchandise, but most of them are also highly active on Instagram, especially after TikTok’s ban scare.
Use TikTok to build the perfect workout|Sandra Gutierrez G.|September 17, 2020|Popular-Science
Now, however, it has fewer options to experiment, especially with free services, as it tries to refocus on Firefox and a few other core projects.
Mozilla shutters Firefox Send and Notes|Frederic Lardinois|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch
This large cork board is framed in solid wood, making the structure especially strong and sturdy.
Cork boards for organizing your home or office|PopSci Commerce Team|September 17, 2020|Popular-Science
Breen says this is especially important since that approach doesn’t scale across thousands of devices and can also introduce bugs from the agent itself.
Perigee infrastructure security solution from former NSA employee moves into public beta|Ron Miller|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch

Over the years, selenium pollution has been especially tricky for coal companies to deal with, presenting expensive and long-term treatment challenges.
This Billionaire Governor’s Coal Company Might Get a Big Break From His Own Regulators|by Ken Ward Jr.|September 17, 2020|ProPublica
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
It marked a groundbreaking moment in how the country viewed Jews, especially Jewish women.
Why Was Bess Myerson the First and Last Jewish Miss America?|Emily Shire|January 7, 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
He distinguished himself in several campaigns, especially in the Peninsular war, and was raised to the rank of field marshal.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Individual samples may be slightly alkaline, especially after a full meal.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Undesirable inhabitants of the country are being sent away, especially the Japanese, who are more dangerous than the Chinese.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
It is especially useful with cultures upon serum media, but is applicable also to the sputum.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
From that region they issue to inflict diseases, especially blindness and deafness.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway

British Dictionary definitions for especially

especially

/ (ɪˈspɛʃəlɪ) /

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

especially

OTHER WORDS FOR especially

Origin of especially

synonym study for especially

usage note for especially

Words nearby especially

ESPECIALLY VS. SPECIALLY

What's the difference between especially and specially?

Quiz yourself on especially vs. specially!

Words related to especially

How to use especially in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for especially