specially

[ spesh-uh-lee ]

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.

Other Words From

• non·spe·cial·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of specially¹

special ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Despite it all, staff still try to make your experience there special.

From Washington Blade

A woman meets a nice man who compliments her, makes her feel special, takes her dancing, tells her she’s his soulmate.

From Vox

They argue that stronger parties could help beat back special interests and produce more compromise and moderation.

From Freakonomics

Bergh has also paid special attention to getting people to the polls.

From Fortune

Because of that, Nuñez said she was unable to purchase a special breathing machine that her daughter needed.

From ProPublica

On December 10, the Specially Designated Secrets Law will go into effect.

From The Daily Beast

They served in the volunteer Donbass Battalion, one of three specially organized National Guard battalions.

From The Daily Beast

Rivers was reportedly having her hair and make-up done, the room had been specially decorated, and her two dogs had visited her.

From The Daily Beast

Sniffing Tory conspiracies under every Whitehall bed, ours specially?

From The Daily Beast

They can only enter water on beaches specially designed for women.

From The Daily Beast

The Smooth Naked Horsetail is a common plant, specially by the sides of streams and pools.

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand it seems to be thought that there are people who are specially fitted to be the victims of untruth.

From Project Gutenberg

The stars were auxiliary lights, and had all been specially, and at the same time, created for the good of man.

From Project Gutenberg

But I have never once thought of believing that they were specially created to be lesser lights to the Earth.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides this the old general meant it, when he had stated his design to provide a specially heavy pair of weapons.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• especially
• expressly
• specifically
• uniquely

Specially Vs. Especially

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.

Quiz yourself on specially vs. especially!

Should specially or especially be used in the following sentence?

I had this cake _____ made for your birthday.