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

See Examples For:

especially

Tyrosine is especially interesting because the body uses it to produce neurotransmitters such as dopamine.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 6, 2026

Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamantoni said the underlying condition made the infant especially vulnerable to severe illness after contracting measles.

From Salon ● Sep. 6, 2026

Parents can be especially defensive if they think an adult child is trying to referee their romantic or financial decisions, she said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

Minor flooding is most likely in some coastal areas, especially in low-lying spots in Long Beach, Malibu and around Point Mugu, the weather service warned.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026

There were a few looks thrown my way, not especially friendly, so I kept my expression bland as I chewed, the bread tasteless in my mouth.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

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