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

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

People who live in assisted living facilities are at especial risk for dying from COVID-19. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2020

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