special

adjective spe·cial \ ˈspe-shəl \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: special in a Sentence

Definition of special

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

See special defined for English-language learners

See special defined for kids

Examples of special in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of special from the Web

The distillery would offer tours, tastings, classes and special events surrounding its handcrafted whiskey and gin varieties sourced from local grains.

— erin hegarty, Naperville Sun, "Old Nichols Library won't work for craft distillery, other Naperville locations being scouted," 16 June 2018
The Echo was disappointed because Kane's captaincy denied Henderson something very special indeed.

— SI.com, "Can Sergio Ramos Become the 2nd Captain to Lift the European Cup & World Cup in the Same Year?," 15 June 2018
The cultural significance and impact of Black Panther will never die, but the superhero has a special place in the heart of one 10-year-old from Raleigh, N.C., as the movie became the theme for his custom prosthetic leg.

— breanna edwards, The Root, "Wakanda Forever: Watch the Moment This 10-Year-Old Gets His Brand-New Black Panther Prosthetic Leg," 14 June 2018
There’ll also be terraces to be used for special events that spill over from L.A. Live and the Convention Center, the latter of which has long struggled with bookings due to limited hotel rooms nearby.

— chris nichols, Los Angeles Magazine, "A Look at the Three-Tower Complex That’s Transforming L.A.’s Skyline," 14 June 2018
There's something so special about that immersive Jewish camp experience.

— elizabeth kratz, Jewish Journal, "Camp leadership reaffirms its message: No partnership with IfNotNow," 13 June 2018
Clearly, there’s something special about it, otherwise paintings by William Merritt Chase, Willem de Kooning, and Jackson Pollack wouldn’t exist.

— steven stolman, Town & Country, "High Society Photographer Bert Morgan Chronicled the Hamptons' Smart Set Before Everything Changed," 13 June 2018
The mayor and aldermen recognized a number of people and organizations for accomplishment and special events.

— steve lord, Aurora Beacon-News, "City recognitions show Aurora's diversity," 13 June 2018
The Venn circles were eerily concentric, and the casualness of the league stoked something special.

— chris gayomali, GQ, "How to Make Friends in Your 30s," 11 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'special.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of special

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

special Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

special

noun

Definition of special

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

See special defined for English-language learners

Examples of special in a Sentence

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 of special from the Web

In his upcoming comedy special, Noble Ape, Gaffigan, 51, shared that this often means multitasking.

— sonja haller, USA TODAY, "Jim Gaffigan jokes his 5 kids don't exactly love 'special daddy and me time'," 17 June 2018
Your special is called Rape Jokes, which people tend to interpret one way.

— rebecca farley, refinery29.com, "Cameron Esposito's New Special Is Called Rape Jokes — & She's A Little Nervous About It," 11 June 2018
The defending Division 1 long jump champion has been a standout since her freshman year, but the combination of distance and consistency has made her senior year special.

— mark stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Waukesha South's Armoni Brown soars past the competition in the jumps," 31 May 2018
Her new comedy special, Tig Notaro Happy to Be Here, will be released on May 22.

— tamara fuentes, Harper's BAZAAR, "Jennifer Aniston to Play the First LGBT Female President in New Netflix Film," 18 May 2018
The menu in the background says the fried food special is $24.99.

— michael harriot, The Root, "Korean Restaurant Owner Slaps Black Female Employee Over $8.47," 22 May 2018
Today's daily $3 pint special is Eliot Ness Amber Lager.

— marc bona, cleveland.com, "Beer calendar: Great Lakes tap specials, police benefit at Platform, more," 14 May 2018
If the latter special was the view from the precipice, this is the view from the other side— a touch less original, but all the more triumphant.

— Vogue, "Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife," 11 May 2018
Charles Mulaney is the best and most endlessly fascinating character in all of his son’s specials (including New in Town and The Comeback Kid, both of which are available on Netflix).

— david sims, The Atlantic, "The Secret Star of John Mulaney's Kid Gorgeous," 1 May 2018

First Known Use of special

1822

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Broadcasting Terms

continuity, dissolve, fade, feed, remote, residual, spike, wipe

SPECIAL Defined for English Language Learners

special

adjective

Definition of special for English Language Learners

: different from what is normal or usual; especially : unusual in a good way : better or more important than others
: especially important or loved
: more than is usual

special

noun

Definition of special for English Language Learners

: a television or radio program that is not part of a regular series
: a meal that is not on a restaurant's usual menu

SPECIAL Defined for Kids

special

adjective spe·cial \ ˈspe-shəl \

Definition of special for Students

1 : unusual and better in some way : extraordinary

a special occasion

To an outsider, it wouldn't sound all that special. But to the ears of a Pickwell kid, it was magic.
—Jerry Spinelli, Maniac Magee

2 : liked very well

a special friend

3 : different from others : unique

a special case

4 : ¹extra

a special edition

5 : meant for a particular purpose or occasion

a special diet

—

specially

adverb

Law Dictionary

special

adjective spe·cial

legal Definition of special

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

Learn More about special

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special

Definition of special

specialness

Examples of special in a Sentence

Recent Examples of special from the Web

Origin and Etymology of special

special Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of special

special

Definition of special

Examples of special in a Sentence

Recent Examples of special from the Web

First Known Use of special

Other Broadcasting Terms

Phrases Related to SPECIAL

Related Phrases

SPECIAL Defined for English Language Learners

special

Definition of special for English Language Learners

special

Definition of special for English Language Learners

SPECIAL Defined for Kids

special

Definition of special for Students

specially

Law Dictionary

special

legal Definition of special

specially

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