First recorded in 1900–05
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Her biggest concern: whether Tilit will be able to recover tariffs paid on a special order from China last year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 22, 2026
Instead, in early February, Justice Phil Berger Jr., Newby’s right-hand man and presumed heir on the court, circulated a draft of a special order agreeing to the rehearing, sources familiar with the matter said.
From Salon ● Oct. 31, 2025
"It'll get introduced on Tuesday, be in a committee on Wednesday and then on the special order calendar on Thursday," he said.
From BBC ● Feb. 27, 2024
In the summer last year, Lucio Olmos Morales, the artisan who weaves vanilla on his porch, received a special order.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 5, 2024
Promoted to Brigadier General by special order of Ulysses Grant for heroism at Petersburg.
From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara
He said he was most worried about potential delivery days for special-order bridal gowns for November and December weddings.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2024
This special-order vehicle, as it is sometimes called, is usually arranged at the dealership, but for some brands, an online order is the only way to purchase one.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 2, 2022
The fancy disposable fountain pens I had to special-order from art stores were there, as were newly released books, magazine subscriptions, and shampoo.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 12, 2018
Ota himself told me the fish is nothing special, but after sampling his special-order fugu menu, I would beg to differ.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 10, 2018
That was another super-mom moment because after she talked to the new owner, they agreed to special-order the dish—just for me!
From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
