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

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especially British  

/ ɪˈspɛʃəlɪ /

adverb

1. in particular; specifically

   for everyone's sake, especially your children's

2. very much

   especially useful for vegans

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Usage

See special.

Related Words

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

Example Sentences

This effect was especially strong in the frontoparietal network, which plays an important role in movement planning, attention, and coordination.

From Science Daily

Magnetic and electronic storage devices often lose data after only a few years, especially without continuous power, cooling, and maintenance.

From Science Daily

I’ve heard from countless readers, especially within the past year, complaining about typos.

From The Wall Street Journal

Beth added: "I think we need to education a lot of boys and men, especially when they're young, to sort of prevent it rather than just dealing with it after it's happened."

From BBC

Despite this, many seafarers -- especially on ships without such labour agreements -- are reporting difficulties with getting repatriated.

From Barron's

Related Words

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