specially
Americanadverb
-
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
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.
The force said the family of the girl, who was from the Cleckheaton area, had been notified and were being supported by specially trained officers.
From BBC • Mar. 29, 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
To investigate this, researchers used a specially designed Alzheimer's mouse model that included human microglial cells.
From Science Daily • Mar. 17, 2026
The Cybercab is specially designed to be driven autonomously by Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026
My dad was still tuned in, however, playing sofa soldier from the pullout in the office, the one with the metal bar underneath the seat cushions, specially designed to ensure maximum discomfort.
From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx
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.
