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.

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

"Especially in developer circles, the cost to use AI for things like coding has grown exponentially," said Mark Barton of tech consultancy Omniux.

From Barron's • May 31, 2026

Especially helpful are Ms. Jensen’s meticulous, well-illustrated instructions for mixing, folding and shaping the dough.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

"Especially for people in their 30's, 40's, or 50's, osteoarthritis could mean decades of pain management before they're recommended for a joint replacement," Uhrlich said.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

Especially because, far from stealing money for self-enrichment, she actually paid money to be part of this scheme.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

“Knowledge can be a very powerful and, for some, frightening thing, Kyle. Especially when it’s shared with the whole world, including your neighbors.”

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

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