special

1 of 2

adjective

spe·​cial ˈspe-shəl 

1

: distinguished by some unusual quality

especially : being in some way superior

our special blend

2

: held in particular esteem

a special friend

3

a

: readily distinguishable from others of the same category : unique

they set it apart as a special day of thanksgiving

b

: of, relating to, or constituting a species : specific

4

: being other than the usual : additional, extra

5

: designed for a particular purpose or occasion

specialness noun

special

2 of 2

noun

1

: one that is used for a special service or occasion

caught the commuter special to work

2

: something (such as a television program) that is not part of a regular series

3

: a featured dish at a restaurant

the specials of the day

Synonyms

Adjective

• alone
• lone
• one
• one-off
• only
• singular
• sole
• solitary
• sui generis
• unique

Choose the Right Synonym for special

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 special in a Sentence

Adjective

This is a special case and I want you to handle it personally.

Only under special circumstances will you be allowed to retake the test.

Your many years of service put you in a special category.

Why should you receive any special treatment?

It takes a special quality to do what he did.

This is a very special occasion.

Are you doing anything special over the holidays?

We have a special guest tonight—the mayor.

No one is more special to me than my wife.

He always made her feel special.

Noun

a one-hour special on whales

Today's lunch special is chili.

The specials are on the board.

They were having a special on paper towels so I stocked up.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled mail-in ballots with an incorrect or missing date on the envelope can’t be counted, siding with Republicans after a lower court ruled that not counting those ballots in a separate special election violated the state Constitution. —Alison Durkee, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

When Josh's birthday comes around each year, the absence of his mom's special text is deeply felt. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

Noun

Jimmy Fallon is ready to ring in the most wonderful time of the year, and the Tonight Show host will accompany his upcoming festive album with a television special. —Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2024

Unlike Netflix, which is still considered the 800-pound gorilla in the space and rolls out specials weekly, Hulu is sticking to a monthly release plan. —Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French especial, from Latin specialis individual, particular, from species species

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing special

• handyman's special
• on special
• on special offer
• Saturday night special
• special agent
• special assessment
• special character
• special delivery
• special district
• special drawing rights
• special ed
• special education
• special effect
• special effects
• special handling
• special interest
• special master
• special needs
• special pleading
• special purpose acquisition company
• special relativity
• special sauce
• special school
• special theory of relativity

Kids Definition

special

1 of 2 adjective

spe·​cial ˈspesh-əl 

1

a

: being unusual and especially better in some way

a special occasion

b

: being very dear or liked very well

a special friend

2

: different from others of the same kind : unique

a special case

3

: being or having more than the usual : additional, extra

a special edition

4

: designed for a certain purpose or occasion

a special diet

specially

ˈspesh-(ə-)lē

adverb

special

2 of 2 noun

1

: one that is used for a special service or occasion

caught the commuter special to work

2

: something (as a television program) that is not part of a regular series

3

: a featured dish at a restaurant

the specials of the day

Legal Definition

special

adjective

spe·​cial

1

: distinguished by some unusual quality

2

: relating to a single thing or class of things : having an individual character or trait

owed them a special duty not owed to the public at large

3

a

: supplemental to the regular

b

: assigned or provided to meet a need not covered under established procedures

4

: designed or selected for a particular purpose, occasion, or other end

family courts are courts of limited and special jurisdiction

—Cleveland v. Cleveland, 559 P.2d 744 (1977)

5

: containing particulars and details

a special pleading

specially adverb