special

special

adjective

Definition of SPECIAL

1

being the one or ones of a class with no other members <the President claimed that international terrorism was a special threat that required a special way of dealing with it>

Synonyms alone, lone, one, one-off, singular, sole, solitary, special, sui generis, unique

Related Words single, solo, unaccompanied, unattended; incomparable, inimitable, matchless, peerless, unequaled (or unequalled), unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled (or unrivalled), unsurpassable, unsurpassed; distinct, distinctive, individual, separate; nonce

Near Antonyms divers, manifold, multifarious, myriad; assorted, heterogenous, miscellaneous, mixed, motley, patchwork, promiscuous, varied; popular, prevailing, prevalent, rampant; perennial, recurrent, repeated

2

granted special treatment or attention <one student who was treated as special by the teacher>

Synonyms beloved, cherished, dear, fair-haired, favored, favorite, fond, loved, pet, precious, special, sweet, white-headed

Related Words admired, adored, appreciated, esteemed, relished, revered; prized, treasured; preferred

Near Antonyms abhorred, abominated, despised, detested, disdained, disfavored, disliked, execrated, hated, loathed, unfavorite; abandoned, forgotten, ignored; alienated, estranged

Antonyms unbeloved

3

of a particular or exact sort <you'll need special permission from the fire department to do that>

Synonyms concrete, distinct, especial, peculiar, precise, set, special, specific

Related Words lone, only, separate, single, sole, solitary; distinctive, exclusive, individual, unique; limited, restricted; differentiated, specialized; given, specified

Near Antonyms general, generalized, generic, nonexclusive, universal

Antonyms nonspecific