especially

adverb

es·​pe·​cial·​ly i-ˈspe-shə-lē How to pronounce especially (audio)
-ˈspesh-lē
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Vancouver hasn’t often been a seller like this during the Rutherford era, and especially with depth contributors like Forbort and Suter, these are the sort of acquisitions that are more like finishing deals for contending teams. Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 5 Mar. 2025 Fatherhood hasn’t always been an easy journey for Jelly Roll, especially at the start. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2025 Needless to say, the thinking of OPEC+ ministers is not transparent, but there is a long history of pundits to ascribing the group’s (especially by the Saudis) as being driven by non-economic, political motivations. Michael Lynch, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 The new contract signed within the same league year as his previous one – a rarity especially for running backs — also provides roster construction flexibility for the Eagles. Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for especially

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of especially was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Especially.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/especially. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

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