special

1 of 2

adjective

spe·​cial ˈspe-shəl 

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

special

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• unique
• singular
• distinctive
• one
• distinct
• lone
• sole

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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

How nice to learn about artisan producers from South America, especially when the wine is this special; to my tastes, this is world-class quality. —Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

Each man was then sent special moose-hunting regulations, zone maps, instructions on field-dressing, numbered back tags, bottles for moose-blood samples, and several other items. —Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 26 June 2025

Noun

In 2021, Mendelson’s sons Sean and Jason stumbled on a trove of master tapes containing the music from all 15 TV specials that Guaraldi scored. —Chris Carra, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2025

Kopp’s is all about daily specials (consider Bienenstichkuchen or wedding cake) while Leon’s radiates cool with ’50s-era neon. —Elaine Glusac, AFAR Media, 25 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing special

• handyman's special
• on special
• on special offer
• Saturday night special
• special agent
• special assessment
• special character
• special delivery
• special district
• special drawing rights
• special ed
• special education
• special effect
• special effects
• special handling
• special interest
• special master
• special needs
• special pleading
• special purpose acquisition company
• special relativity
• special sauce
• special school
• special theory of relativity

Rhymes for special

• especial
• seneschal

Kids Definition

special

1 of 2 adjective

spe·​cial ˈspesh-əl 

1

a

: being unusual and especially better in some way

a special occasion

b

: being very dear or liked very well

a special friend

2

: different from others of the same kind : unique

a special case

3

: being or having more than the usual : additional, extra

a special edition

4

: designed for a certain purpose or occasion

a special diet

specially

ˈspesh-(ə-)lē

adverb

special

2 of 2 noun

1

: one that is used for a special service or occasion

caught the commuter special to work

2

: something (as a television program) that is not part of a regular series

3

: a featured dish at a restaurant

the specials of the day

Legal Definition

special

adjective

spe·​cial

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