especial

adjective

es·​pe·​cial i-ˈspe-shəl How to pronounce especial (audio)
: being distinctive: such as
a
: directed toward a particular individual, group, or end
sent especial greetings to his son
took especial care to speak clearly
b
: of special note or importance : unusually great or significant
a decision of especial relevance
c
: highly distinctive or personal : peculiar
had an especial dislike for music
d
: close, intimate
his especial crony
e
: specific, particular
had no especial destination in mind
Phrases
in especial
: in particular
Choose the Right Synonym for especial

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 especial in a Sentence

This is a matter of especial importance. a candidate who handled the stunning defeat with especial grace
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The plan is to install some 17 miles of wildlife fencing to connect habitats and lower vehicle crashes, especial with deer and elk (which can weigh over 1,000 pounds and cause a lot of damage to passenger vehicles). Noël Fletcher, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 Both took especial glee in going after Ramaswamy, a Trump for the millennial set so automatic in his Trumpier-than-thou responses to any question that Christie lampooned him as a sort of ChatGPT version of a Republican candidate. Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2023 The city has an especial affinity for literature. Leah Asmelash, CNN, 2 Mar. 2022 Delivery is important in any form of storytelling, and in observational comedy cadence is the especial engine of wit. Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for especial 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French — more at special

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of especial was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near especial

Cite this Entry

“Especial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/especial. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

especial

adjective
es·​pe·​cial is-ˈpesh-əl How to pronounce especial (audio)
1
: unusual, notable
put especial emphasis on this point
2
: relating to or unique to a certain person or thing : particular
each has its own especial qualities
especially
-ˈpesh-(ə-)lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on especial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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