special

American  

[spesh-uhl] / ˈspɛʃ əl /

adjective

1. of a distinct or particular kind or character.

   a special kind of key.

   Antonyms:

   general

2. being a particular one; particular, individual, or certain.

   You'd better call the special number.

3. pertaining or peculiar to a particular person, thing, instance, etc.; distinctive; unique.

   the special features of a plan.

4. having a specific or particular function, purpose, etc..

   a special messenger.

5. distinguished or different from what is ordinary or usual: to fix something special.

   a special occasion;

   to fix something special.

   Synonyms:

   singular

6. extraordinary; exceptional, as in amount or degree; especial.

   special importance.

7. being such in an exceptional degree; particularly valued.

   a special friend.

8. Sometimes Offensive. pertaining to people with singular needs or disabilities, or to their education.

   disabled students with special needs;

   state funding for special schools.

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noun

specials plural

1. a special person or thing.

2. a train used for a particular purpose, occasion, or the like.

3. a special edition of a newspaper.

4. Theater. a spotlight reserved for a particular area, property, actor, etc..

   Give me the coffin special.

5. a temporary, arbitrary reduction in the price of regularly stocked goods, especially food; a particularly worthwhile offer or price.

   The special this week is on sirloin steaks.

6. Television. a single program not forming part of a regular series.

special British  

/ ˈspɛʃəl /

adjective

1. distinguished, set apart from, or excelling others of its kind

2. (prenominal) designed or reserved for a particular purpose

   a special tool for working leather

3. not usual or commonplace

4. (prenominal) particular or primary

   his special interest was music

5. denoting or relating to the education of physically or mentally handicapped children

   a special school

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noun

1. a special person or thing, such as an extra edition of a newspaper or a train reserved for a particular purpose

2. a dish or meal given prominence, esp at a low price, in a café, etc

3. slang history a convict given special treatment on account of his education, social class, etc

4. short for special constable

5. informal an item in a store that is advertised at a reduced price; a loss leader

verb

1. informal to advertise and sell (an item) at a reduced price

   we are specialling butter this week

Sensitive Note

In the 20th century, special was used freely as a modifier describing services or accessibility resources for people with disabilities or disabled people's functional needs, and sometimes as a euphemism for disabled to label the people themselves. Most euphemistic language for disabilities and people with disabilities is no longer preferred, and special used in this way may be considered offensive, especially when used to describe a person. The phrase special needs is somewhat more accepted, but is less common than it used to be. Instead, when possible, make reference to the specific disability in question. However, the fixed expression special education is still an official designation in public education and continues to be used, even by speakers who otherwise avoid special and its compounds.

Usage

In American English the adjective special is overwhelmingly more common than especial in all senses: He will be of special help if you can't understand the documentation. The reverse is true of the adverbs; here especially is by far the more common: He will be of great help, especially if you have trouble understanding the documentation. Only when the sense “specifically” is intended is specially more idiomatic: The machine was specially designed for use by a left-handed operator.

Synonym Usage

Special, particular, specific refer to something pointed out for attention and consideration. Special means given unusual treatment because of being uncommon: a special sense of a word. Particular implies something selected from the others of its kind and set off from them for attention: a particular variety of orchid. Specific implies plain and unambiguous indication of a particular instance, example, etc.: a specific instance of cowardice.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• specialness
  noun
• interspecial
  adjective
• nonspecial
  adjective
• superspecial
  adjective
• specially
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• specials
  plural

Etymology

Origin of special

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English (adjective), from Latin speciālis “of a given species,” equivalent to speci(ēs) “form, kind, sort” + -ālis adjective suffix; see species, -al ¹, especial

Explanation

Special means "better than ordinary." Like the self-portrait you lovingly painted as a surprise for your sweetie's birthday, something special is distinct, and surpasses the norm. Something special is looked upon with affection, surpasses expectations, or has a particular role. It can also be a featured attraction or limited-run occurrence — like when there's a special on television or a special on cheese at the store. Ray Charles said, “Love is a special word, and I use it only when I mean it. You say the word too much and it becomes cheap.” Take this sweet crooner’s advice and don’t wear out special sentiments.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

special specials

The special permit waives the Texas-based company’s compliance with a federal pipeline regulation and asserts that the federal agency has oversight of the oil venture.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

The Caramoor visit of Les Arts Florissants on Friday had a special frisson.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

Forget the worm, this early bird was after the seed - and a very special one at that.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

In Syria, Iranian forces launched "a surprise attack on the enemy special operations command centre in the Al-Tanf region", according to a Guards statement carried by state media.

From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026

“These are very good pieces as well—not quite as special, but larger, so they would make a charming display on your wall.”

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Even hour-long television specials and magazine cover stories, in which Madonna has been recounting her past, don’t reach the same depth as something like “Danceteria,” where she does the same thing over a beat.

From Salon ● Jul. 8, 2026

I filmed tons of specials for different networks and streamers in my home and outdoors.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026

The house played host to some iconic scenes throughout the Ruth Jones and James Corden sitcom's original three series run, and in later specials.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

But a good bet is Zikrayat, which will be showing the games on five big-screen TVs and offering food and hookah specials for the duration.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026

He holds up the pink calendar they sent around to all the rooms with the daily specials down at the cafeteria.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott

Related Words

• appropriate
• certain
• different
• exceptional
• exclusive
• extraordinary
• individual
• limited
• main
• major
• memorable
• particular
• peculiar
• personal
• primary
• proper
• rare
• significant
• specialized
• specific