Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

See What's Trending Now See More Trending Words

specially

play
adverb spe·cial·ly \ ˈspe-sh(ə-)lē \

Definition of specially

1 :in a special manner
  • treated her friends specially
2 a :for a special purpose
  • dresses made specially for the occasion
b :in particular :specifically
  • made specially for you
3 :especially 2
  • makes a specially fine curry
  • was specially pleased with the gift

See specially defined for English-language learners

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

alt-59c448f88ea38
Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'
alt-59c52d6ee2f72
Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'
video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066
image1644821030
These Are Fighting Words

Examples of specially in a Sentence

  1. dresses made specially for a wedding

  2. The speech was written specially for the occasion.

  3. The room was specially designed to be used as a library.

  4. I was specially pleased with your gift.

  5. people who are not specially gifted

  6. I don't want to be treated specially.

Recent Examples of specially from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'specially.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of specially

14th century

specially Synonyms

Synonyms
especially, notably, particularly, specifically
Antonyms
generally
Related Words
concretely, expressly
Near Antonyms
altogether, basically, by and large, chiefly, largely, mainly, mostly, overall, predominantly, primarily, principally, substantially

SPECIALLY Defined for English Language Learners

specially

play
adverb

Definition of specially for English Language Learners

  • : for a special purpose

  • : to a special or unusual degree : particularly or especially

  • : in a special manner

Learn More about specially

  1. See words that rhyme with specially Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for specially Nglish: Translation of specially for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of specially for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up specially? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

legerity

play

alert quickness of mind or body

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. dotage, dotard a state or period of senile decay

  2. otherwise "in other respects"

  3. federalism Graham says bill gives power to states

  4. bodega "Don’t mess with the beloved bodega."

  5. carceral Of, relating to, or suggesting a jail or prison

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

specially

Test Your Vocabulary

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

  • young-plant-shoots
  • Which of the following is a new sense of the word bunny?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

alt-59c52d6ee2f72
Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

The word's origins are quite literal

alt-59c4207ecf106
Let's Talk 'Tea'

Spill it, sip it: just make it hot.

image1644821030
8 Words and Phrases from Boxing and Wrestling

Common terms that come from boxing and wrestling

alt-59c2960017c94
The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

When you push a meeting, where does it go?

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

payday
How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless
Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals
Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

young-plant-shoots
Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

You're going to have to memorize the dictionary again.

Take the quiz
stylized-drawing-of-woman-pole-vaulting-across-gap-to-get-trophy
Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

No tricks, just difficult words.

Take the quiz
Spell It
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game
Examples: specially in a Sentence