especial

adjective

es·​pe·​cial i-ˈspe-shəl 

: being distinctive: such as

a

: directed toward a particular individual, group, or end

sent especial greetings to his son

took especial care to speak clearly

b

: of special note or importance : unusually great or significant

a decision of especial relevance

c

: highly distinctive or personal : peculiar

had an especial dislike for music

d

: close, intimate

his especial crony

e

: specific, particular

had no especial destination in mind

Phrases

in especial

: in particular

Synonyms

• aberrant
• aberrated
• abnormal
• anomalous
• atypical
• exceeding
• exceptional
• extraordinaire
• extraordinary
• freak
• odd
• peculiar
• phenomenal
• preternatural
• rare
• singular
• uncommon
• uncustomary
• unique
• unusual
• unwonted

Choose the Right Synonym for especial

special, especial, specific, particular, individual mean of or relating to one thing or class.

special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

Examples of especial in a Sentence

This is a matter of especial importance.

a candidate who handled the stunning defeat with especial grace

Recent Examples on the Web

The plan is to install some 17 miles of wildlife fencing to connect habitats and lower vehicle crashes, especial with deer and elk (which can weigh over 1,000 pounds and cause a lot of damage to passenger vehicles). —Noël Fletcher, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Both took especial glee in going after Ramaswamy, a Trump for the millennial set so automatic in his Trumpier-than-thou responses to any question that Christie lampooned him as a sort of ChatGPT version of a Republican candidate. —Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2023

The city has an especial affinity for literature. —Leah Asmelash, CNN, 2 Mar. 2022

Delivery is important in any form of storytelling, and in observational comedy cadence is the especial engine of wit. —Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French — more at special

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

especial

adjective

es·​pe·​cial is-ˈpesh-əl 

1

: unusual, notable

put especial emphasis on this point

2

: relating to or unique to a certain person or thing : particular

each has its own especial qualities

especially

-ˈpesh-(ə-)lē

adverb