especially

American  

[ih-spesh-uh-lee] / ɪˈspɛʃ ə li /

adverb

1. particularly; exceptionally; markedly.

   Be especially watchful when you are out walking alone.

   I love spending time outdoors, especially on sunny days.

   Synonyms:

   mainly, notably, signally

---

especially British  

/ ɪˈspɛʃəlɪ /

adverb

1. in particular; specifically

   for everyone's sake, especially your children's

2. very much

   especially useful for vegans

---

Usage

See special.

Synonym Usage

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 Midwest, 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.

Etymology

Origin of especially

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; especial + -ly

Explanation

Especially describes something that can be singled out as better or more than. An especially tall building is extremely tall. Behind many good adverbs is a good adjective; this is especially true for the word especially, which is built from the common adjective special. This means something close to particularly and can be used to describe something that is more than something else. Basketball players are especially tall. Puppies and kittens are especially cute. The President is an especially important person. If you win first place in a piccolo contest then you are especially good at playing piccolo.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

especially

Cool, fresh but sunny conditions will develop in many areas on Wednesday and Thursday albeit with some showers, especially in the east.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

Inflation hurts longer-dated bonds more than shorter-dated maturities, especially if the Federal Reserve needs to hike rates by more than expected.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026

The measure comes as smart glasses -- especially those marketed by Meta under popular brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley -- are causing growing concern in Europe.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

This happens especially often with soups that are creamy, starchy or — blessedly — both.

From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2026

I hope Zara can join me today, especially since the meet’s just two weeks away.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• chiefly
• exclusively
• notably
• principally
• specially
• specifically