special

adjective spe·cial \ ˈspe-shəl \

Updated on: 25 Apr 2018

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

As Macron prepares to be feted at two fancy dinners and give a special speech to Congress, the White House and Elysee Palace are stressing their likenesses instead of points of discord.

— Washington Post, "Why French globalist Macron is befriending nationalist Trump," 22 Apr. 2018
The cabinet also approved the establishment of more fast-track courts to deal with rape cases, the appointment of more public prosecutors, and ordered police stations to be equipped with special forensic kits, among other steps.

— Anchorage Daily News, "India approves death penalty for raping young girls in wake of 8-year-old’s brutal death," 22 Apr. 2018
In an hourlong NBC News Dateline special on Sunday, the Karolyis responded to criticism from several gymnasts and that have been laid out in two lawsuits against them.

— rachel axon and nancy armour, USA TODAY, "Martha, Bela Karolyi defend training environment, say they didn't know about abuse," 22 Apr. 2018
Oxygen investigates this story more in a new, explosive special.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "11 Movies and TV Shows You'll Be Sad If You Miss This Week," 22 Apr. 2018
Hall posited that adolescence is a psychologically distinct time of conflicting and often extreme emotions, and popularized a special term for it.

— jonathan rauch, The Atlantic, "Adolescence and ‘the Happiness Dip’," 22 Apr. 2018
And, because many of our #TeamSELF fans have asked for recipes that work for special diets, there are several dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian recipes, all indicated in the list below.

— christine byrne, SELF, "40 Easy, Healthy Recipes That Anyone Can Cook," 22 Apr. 2018
Tinley Park planners are recommending against approving special use permits for a gas station, convenience store and car wash that wants to annex to the village.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Tinley Park Plan Commission rejects special use permits for gas station," 21 Apr. 2018
This year's race took on a special meaning for Larson and her group of 13 friends after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in January.

— derek hall, azcentral, "28,000 gather in Tempe to honor hero Pat Tillman at 14th annual Pat's Run," 21 Apr. 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 a career that spanned 13 seasons and 182 regular-season games with the Bears, Brian Urlacher made reels of highlights that could fill a series of specials for NFL Films.

— brad biggs, chicagotribune.com, "Brian Urlacher chooses Bob Babich to present him at Hall of Fame induction ceremony," 2 Apr. 2018
The energy of the crowd clearly goosed the cast, counteracting the over-prepared stodginess that hampers so many of these specials.

— noel murray, New York Times, "Review: In ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ an Old Story for (Yet Another) New Millennium," 2 Apr. 2018
The staff seemed at ease in their roles; the tasting menu has been scrapped for a lineup of daily specials.

— michael bauer, San Francisco Chronicle, "Charter Oak evolves into a Napa dining destination," 28 Mar. 2018
Anderson has cited visual influences as varied as the Rankin/Bass holiday specials, Akira Kurosawa, and Hayao Miyazaki.

— christopher orr, The Atlantic, "The Beauty and Sadness of Isle of Dogs," 23 Mar. 2018
Public appetite for stand-up comedy has risen as Netflix and HBO have offered their subscribers a wider array of TV specials.

— david ng, latimes.com, "ICM Partners expands comedy portfolio with Just for Laughs acquisition," 21 Mar. 2018
Tamborine is the first of two comedy specials from Rock that landed at Netflix.

— Houston Chronicle, "On stage: Chris Botti and his trumpet return," 21 Mar. 2018
Or order one of the deluxe bowls from the menu of house specials, though know that these items will demand a premium price.

— Bon Appetit, "Suzuran," 19 Mar. 2018
This Old City crawl features more than 10 bars, as well as plenty of drink specials and free cover for ticket holders.

— Philly.com, "St. Patrick's Day, Remy Ma, qFlix Philadelphia film fest, Opening Corks, and other great events, March 16-23," 14 Mar. 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

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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

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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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