especially

[ ih-spesh-uh-lee ]
See synonyms for especially on Thesaurus.com
adverb
  1. particularly; exceptionally; markedly: Be especially watchful when you are out walking alone.I love spending time outdoors, especially on sunny days.

Origin of especially

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; especial + -ly

synonym study For 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 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.

usage note For especially

See special.

Other words for especially

Words Nearby especially

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use especially in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for especially

especially

/ (ɪˈspɛʃəlɪ) /


adverb
  1. in particular; specifically: for everyone's sake, especially your children's

  2. very much: especially 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