especially

adverb

es·​pe·​cial·​ly i-ˈspe-shə-lē 

-ˈspesh-lē

1

: specially sense 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

Synonyms of especially

• particularly
• specifically

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

This distinct atmosphere is especially noticeable in the second set when Cooper swaps his trap set for a balafon and Taylor reaches into his piano to pluck the strings. — Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026

Health officials urged residents not to touch bats, especially those that appear sick or dead, and to keep their pets’ rabies vaccinations current. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026

A little bit of walking every day can go a long way, especially for your digestive system. — Amber Raiken, Verywell Health, 2 Nov. 2026

But given the university’s unique basketball brand, with 12 national championships for the women and six for the men, there could be more benefits in synergy between the programs, especially in creating buzz and business for downtown Hartford. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing especially

• not especially

Rhymes for especially

• fleshly
• freshly