special

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adjective spe·cial \ ˈspe-shəl \

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

This is a special group of young men, who going into their fourth season together, have created a strong bond.

— randy mcroberts, The Aegis, "2017 high school football preview," 30 Aug. 2017
From there, the diamond became a special possession of Queen Victoria.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "The True Story of the Koh-i-Noor Diamond—And Why the British Won’t Give It Back," 30 Aug. 2017
China’s drills in its Northern district involve not only border-defense forces, but also expeditionary forces—including mobile brigades equipped with some of China’s most advanced military equipment, airborne units, and special-operations forces.

— adam mount, The Atlantic, "How China Sees North Korea," 29 Aug. 2017
The four-day festival features national and local musicians on two stages, Family Fun Land, a carnival, special events, a business expo and the Labor Day Parade.

— michelle mullins, Naperville Sun, "This Week in Naperville," 29 Aug. 2017
Ten percent of all sales at thE Riders Outpost team store will go the effort, along with proceeds from the special Pass the Boat activities during each game.

— stefan stevenson, star-telegram, "Texas Rangers pledge $1 million to Harvey relief effort," 29 Aug. 2017
But the penalty for consistency is that the overbred flowers created for that principal come out a little boring, and the special, seasonal blooms resist it entirely.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "Reflections of an Accidental Florist," 28 Aug. 2017
According to the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction, the U.S. has spent $714 billion on warfighting and reconstruction in Afghanistan since fiscal year 2002.

— daniel depetris, National Review, "Five Questions for Trump on Afghanistan," 27 Aug. 2017
That deficiency contributed to the Broncos’ poor performance in starting field position, put more pressure on Rypien and the offense and amplified the woeful special teams.

— chadd cripe, idahostatesman, "Forget Top 25 and major bowls. Boise State football needs to master its division first.," 27 Aug. 2017

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

See Words from the same year

special Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

unbeloved

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

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

Starting at 3 p.m. Sept. 14 and continuing to Sept. 16, oysters, clams, shrimp and other seafood specials will be offered.

— vickie snow jurkowski, Daily Southtown, "Dates on a dime, or close to it," 25 Aug. 2017
C.K., known for his successful web series and specials, went old-school with the movie, not only presenting it in black-and-white but shooting it in 35 mm.

— matt miller, Esquire, "Louis C.K. Has a Surprise New Movie Debuting Next Month," 15 Aug. 2017
There have also been 25 state legislative special elections this year.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "2017’s Special Elections Are Telling a Hopeful Story for Democrats," 14 Aug. 2017
Needless to say, the star-studded, one-hour special is sure to be amusing and chock-full of lol-worthy moments, but the best part?

— kaleigh fasanella, Teen Vogue, "Selena Gomez Goes Head to Head With Miss Piggy in Exclusive Video for WE Day," 3 Aug. 2017
According to recent graduates and current students of the middle school at Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Academy — a K-8 Jewish community day school in Palm Beach Gardens — what makes the school special is its reflective curriculum and caring community.

— randall p. lieberman, Jewish Journal, "Meyer Academy Middle School features International Baccalaureate program," 2 Aug. 2017
Titanic: 20th Anniversary, a one-hour special, will air on National Geographic in December.

— tess koman, Cosmopolitan, "ALERT: James Cameron Is Working on a 20th Anniversary Titanic Special," 26 July 2017
Not to mention the Fantasy movie theater and Hunan Wok with $4.95 lunch specials and a Woolworth’s that sold nail polish and greeting cards.

— jessica berger gross, Longreads, "My Parents Said I Bruised Easily," 11 July 2017
Avocado, maple bacon, cakefetti, lavender and other unexpected varieties are made daily with specials regularly being scooped out for guests.

— lauren delgado, Orlando Signature, "Ice Cream Shops Serving Unexpected Icy Treats," 23 June 2017

First Known Use of special

1822

Other Broadcasting Terms

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

SPECIAL Defined for English Language Learners

special

play

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

play

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

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special

Definition of special

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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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