specially

American  

[spesh-uh-lee] / ˈspɛʃ ə li /

adverb

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. above all; especially.

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

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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

In an early phase clinical trial, doctors are implanting specially engineered stem cells into the brain.

From Science Daily

Alongside jamming, Ukraine has also developed cheap interceptor drones built specially to destroy other craft mid-air.

From Barron's

In a November press release announcing a contract with the Pentagon, Xtend said its “one-way” drone kits would be specially built for small tactical teams in “irregular warfare operations.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The experiments relied on specially engineered mice created by Professor Thomas Knöpfel at Hong Kong Baptist University.

From Science Daily

Using specially adapted instruments, they measured isotopes, which are slight differences in the mass of atoms.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• especially
• expressly
• specifically
• uniquely