especially

adverb

es·​pe·​cial·​ly i-ˈspe-shə-lē 

-ˈspesh-lē

1

: specially sense 1

2

a

: in particular : particularly

food seems cheaper, especially meats

b

: for a particular purpose

built especially for research

3

—used as an intensive

an especially good essay

nothing especially radical in the remarks

Synonyms

• particularly
• specifically

Examples of especially in a Sentence

With the help of his staff, [Tim] Russert was especially good at arming himself for an interview by compiling a politician's previous statements in all their contradictions. Google was his tool and Gotcha his game. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 23 June 2008

In 1972, we began nonstop coverage of the Nixon-McGovern presidential campaign. Hunter [S. Thompson] took over my life then—and for many years after that when he was reporting (long nocturnal telephone calls and frequent all-night strategy sessions) and especially when he was writing. He was demanding in his need for time, attention, care, handling and editing. —Jann S. Wenner, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2005

Moreover, Gone with the Wind is peopled with characters whose inconsistencies make them interesting, none more so than Scarlett O'Hara, an unattractive, inexplicably seductive antiheroine whom Trollope himself might well have been pleased to dream up on an especially good day. —Terry Teachout, National Review, 20 Aug. 2001

… I am a tax dweeb. I like thinking about taxes and writing about taxes, and I really like doing my taxes. Especially since do-it-yourself tax software in a box got so great. —Linda Stern, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2000

He was especially concerned about the contract.

There is nothing especially radical about that idea.

Winning this tournament was especially satisfying.

I made this pie especially for you.

Recent Examples on the Web

Getting players out the door, however, may not be so easy, especially as this most recent promotion will have led to wages rising to reflect the club’s Championship status. —Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 28 May 2025

While Clarkson is hardly the first star to break out the relaxed silhouette this year — celebs like Oprah, Martha Stewart, and Jessica Alba are fans of the pants style, too — Clarkson’s khaki pair looks especially versatile for busy summer plans Ready to try the trend for yourself? —Averi Baudler, People.com, 28 May 2025

Those families are coming together and building relationships across language barriers, Castillo said — especially since parents and guardians often prefer hearing from each other rather than from the school. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025

But networks — when built and connected the right way, with the right systems, especially AI LLMs and AI— can be your superpower. —Barry Libert, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing especially

• not especially

Rhymes for especially

• fleshly
• freshly