Test
Your
Word IQ! Play Now

especially

[ ih-spesh-uh-lee ]
/ ɪˈspɛʃ ə li /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR especially ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

particularly; exceptionally; markedly: Be especially watchful.

Words related to especially

specially, exclusively, notably, specifically, principally, chiefly, peculiarly, eminently, expressly, extraordinarily, mainly, markedly, oddly, preeminently, primarily, singularly, strangely, uncommonly, unusually, wonderfully

Words nearby especially

esparto, españa, español, espec., especial, especially, esperance, esperanto, espial, espionage, esplanade

Origin of especially

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH especially

especially specially (see synonym study at the current entry) (see usage note at special)

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 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for especially

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