special

adjective spe·cial \ ˈspe-shəl \

Updated on: 9 May 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

Hank Bauer, one of the great specialists, wonders why he wasn’t invited to the NFL’s special teams discussion at The League office.

— nick canepa, sandiegouniontribune.com, "It would be just like the Chargers not to honor the great Gates," 5 May 2018
Sophomore Dominique Long, a special teams standout last season, also is pushing for playing time at safety with those two.

— chris solari, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State football's veteran secondary gets deeper entering 2018," 5 May 2018
The cities of Smyrna and Kennesaw are also holding special elections on May 22 to fill city council seats.

— meris lutz, ajc, "Taxes likely to dominate May 22 Cobb primaries," 5 May 2018
Decoud also can be a productive special teams player.

— john mcclain, Houston Chronicle, "Texans move Treston Decoud from cornerback to safety," 4 May 2018
Anthony played in eight games last season, mostly on special teams, and contributed 15 tackles for the Dolphins.

— omar kelly, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Dolphins decline fifth-year option on linebacker Stephone Anthony," 3 May 2018
As Bills special teams legend Steve Tasker put it, fans might not even notice the changes to the kickoff.

— conor orr, SI.com, "The Kickoff Is Staying in the NFL, But for How Much Longer?," 3 May 2018
Trump’s and Cohen’s lawyers believe the New York investigation is largely aimed at pressuring Cohen to cooperate with the special counsel team, according to several people familiar with their discussions.

— Washington Post, "Analysts: Giuliani’s media blitz gives investigators new leads, new evidence," 3 May 2018
And after surprise wins in Alabama and Pennsylvania special elections, Democrats’ map has grown.

— ella nilsen, Vox, "The Democratic establishment’s controversial meddling in 2018 primaries, explained," 3 May 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

Their specials, like a monthly vegan pizza night, have been a huge draw.

— nikki delamotte, cleveland.com, "Lakewood's Cleveland Vegan set to expand storefront this summer," 3 May 2018
Derby hat contest, drink specials, music with Naked Karate Girls.

— luann gibbs, Cincinnati.com, "Fun and free things to do this weekend in Cincinnati," 3 May 2018
Comedian Hari Kondabolu, who helped draw attention to the problematic portrayal of The Simpsons’ Apu in a documentary last year, will also appear on the service on May 8th in his new special, Warn Your Relatives.

— bryan bishop, The Verge, "Everything coming to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO Now in May," 30 Apr. 2018
Well, a half-century after his renowned 1968 comeback TV special, what is the public face of Elvis Presley, the man who transformed the music and culture of the 20th century?

— corey seymour, Vogue, "Long Live the King: HBO’s New Elvis Presley Documentary Looks Beyond the Legend," 14 Apr. 2018
The comedian joked about the incident in his 2017 special, Deep in the Heart of Texas: Dave Chappelle Live at Austin City Limits.

— Essence.com, "The Quick Read: Fabolous Officially Charged With Aggravated Assault And Making Terroristic Threats," 4 Apr. 2018
There are daily lunch and dinner specials, and all soups are made from scratch.

— donald liebenson, Lake County News-Sun, "Come to Norton's and get comfortable," 21 Feb. 2018
Many inns and hotels host their own Valentine's specials, from champagne service to three-course meals at the hotel restaurant.

— rachel epstein, Marie Claire, "25 Unexpected Valentine's Day Date Ideas," 14 Feb. 2018
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

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

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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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