special
adjective
\
Definition of special
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : distinguished by some unusual quality especially : being in some way superior our special blend
2 : held in particular esteem a special friend
3a : readily distinguishable from others of the same category : unique they set it apart as a special day of thanksgiving
4 : being other than the usual : additional, extra
5 : designed for a particular purpose or occasion
special
nounDefinition of special (Entry 2 of 2)
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
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms & Antonyms for special
Synonyms: Adjective
beloved, cherished, darling, dear, fair-haired, favored, favorite, fond, loved, pet, precious, sweet, white-haired
Antonyms: Adjective
Visit the Thesaurus for More
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
Loukoumades, which date back to ancient Greece, are made on special occasions. — Gloria Casas, Elgin Courier-News, "Saint Sophia’s Greek Fest shares sounds, tastes and feel of Greece at Elgin church," 14 July 2018 This year is special because Saint Sophia is marking a major milestone. — Gloria Casas, Elgin Courier-News, "Saint Sophia’s Greek Fest shares sounds, tastes and feel of Greece at Elgin church," 14 July 2018 Drake's baby sister has the condition, so that game will be even more special to him. — Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "3-year-old boy sings national anthem at minor league baseball game, hits it out of the park," 13 July 2018 Even next to Alabama’s other great defenses of the past decade, this unit was special. — Ben Ladner, SI.com, "The 10 Best National Championship Game Performances of the BCS Era," 13 July 2018 Steel pans are the decorations that matter most, though — steel pans filled with lamb vindaloo that needed no special instructions to bring the heat, roiling with chile heat over tender cubes of lamb that soaked up the buttery sauce. — Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, "Review: India Oven brings the heat on West Avenue," 12 July 2018 This week in Patrick Rodgers’ life is very special. — Garrett Johnson, Indianapolis Star, "A year after near-miss, Patrick Rodgers returns to John Deere Classic eyeing life-changing PGA Tour win," 11 July 2018 The DogPatch visit is particularly special for Meghan, who is making sure to weave her feminist values into her royal duties. — Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Matching (and Very Cute) in Ireland," 10 July 2018 That view has particular relevance as special counsel Robert Mueller is looking into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and whether the Trump campaign played any role in a foreign interference plot. — Zeke Miller, The Seattle Times, "Trump picks Kavanaugh for court, setting up fight with Dems," 10 July 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The Fresh dayboat scallops elote summer special is available at all Bonefish Grill locations until Sept. 17. — Claire Perez, Sun-Sentinel.com, "At Bonefish Grill, summer corn calls for scallops," 13 July 2018 But the news special was ABC’s strongest performer. — Hal Boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "'America's Got Talent' has ratings bigger than last week's best," 11 July 2018 The marker is absent today on the show's 40th anniversary, but a comeback special is in the works. — David Lindquist, Indianapolis Star, "Elvis Presley plaque is coming back to Indianapolis on 41st anniversary of final concert," 22 June 2018 Prime rib specials are $22.95 and $25.95 on Saturdays. — Shonda Talerico Dudlicek, Lake County News-Sun, "Bon Voyage restaurant is realization of longtime dream of Antioch owners," 18 June 2018 Last Thursday, the popular special was seafood stew, a dark gravy thick with shrimp, crab legs, sausage and potatoes. — Brett Anderson, NOLA.com, "Yes indeed, Lord: Queen's Cuisine, where everything comes from the heart," 6 June 2018 The comedy special is available on Netflix in America, so there’s evidence that the streaming rights are available in at least some cases. — Tasha Robinson, The Verge, "Netflix’s secret requests page may not be useful, but it’s fun," 5 June 2018 What to get: Besides the jabana coffee ($3), which is excellent, the eggplant salad with yogurt ($6.35) and foul masalah ($8.50); on the weekends, ask for the specials with kisra ($11.80) and pepper relish. — Jonathan Kauffman, San Francisco Chronicle, "Exile in the Tenderloin: The quest for a future at San Francisco’s only Sudanese cafe," 17 May 2018 Tacos might have originated as street food but there’s nothing humble about the three taco specials Sycuan Casino is serving this month. — Michele Parente, sandiegouniontribune.com, "It's taco-mania at Sycuan in May," 3 May 2018These 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for special
special
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of special
(Entry 1 of 2)
: 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
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of special (Entry 2 of 2)
: a television or radio program that is not part of a regular series
: a meal that is not on a restaurant's usual menu
See the full definition for special in the English Language Learners Dictionary
special
adjective
\
Kids Definition of special
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 : extra entry 1 a special edition
5 : meant for a particular purpose or occasion a special diet
special
adjectiveLegal 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
3a : 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
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on special
What made you want to look up special? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Name that Food Quiz
-
- Name these cookies!
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share special
Resources for special