Synonyms

specially

American

[spesh-uh-lee] / ˈspɛʃ ə li /

adverb

in a distinct or particular way; uniquely.

All our products are specially handcrafted and fabricated under our own supervision, providing you with a fully customizable storage system.
with definite intent; with a specific occasion, person, etc., in mind: The travelogue was specially requested by a member of the group.

Through specially arranged team activities, the children learn important social skills, including cooperation and respect for others.
The travelogue was specially requested by a member of the group.
above all; especially.

The climate up here is really refreshing, specially right after the heat and humidity of the plains.

Usage

What's the difference between specially and especially? Specially most commonly means in a special manner or for a special purpose, as in or This was specially made or You were specially chosen for this project. Especially means particularly or exceptionally, as in That was especially helpful or This road can be dangerous, especially when it’s icy. Perhaps most confusingly, specially is sometimes used as a synonym of especially, though especially is much more commonly used. Both words are adverbs. Specially is the adverb form of the adjective special. This might be the best way to remember the way specially is typically used, which is to describe something being done in a special way or for a special purpose. On the other hand, the adjective especial is not commonly used. Especially can always be used interchangeably with particularly. Here’s an example of specially and especially used correctly in a sentence. Example: The team worked especially hard to specially make all of these decorations in time for the event. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between specially and especially.

Other Word Forms

nonspecially adverb

Etymology

Origin of specially

special ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Meanwhile the tiling for the kitchen has, Lorenze revealed, been specially created for the couple featuring designs that reflect their passions, interests, and romantic milestones.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

A pantheon of past winners gather to celebrate their success and gorge on a set menu specially selected by the previous year's victor.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Tencent Video described PetTV as a "24-hour happiness hub specially designed for your furry kids" in a post on social media app WeChat introducing the service last weekend.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The extraction of the material would likely need to be conducted by an elite special operations team specially trained to remove radioactive material from a conflict zone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

“Just visiting? Well, you’ve chosen a wonderful place to look at. What are you specially interested in?”

From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023