special
of a distinct or particular kind or character: a special kind of key.
being a particular one; particular, individual, or certain: You'd better call the special number.
pertaining or peculiar to a particular person, thing, instance, etc.; distinctive; unique: the special features of a plan.
having a specific or particular function, purpose, etc.: a special messenger.
distinguished or different from what is ordinary or usual: a special occasion;to fix something special.
extraordinary; exceptional, as in amount or degree; especial: special importance.
being such in an exceptional degree; particularly valued: a special friend.
Sometimes Offensive. pertaining to people with singular needs or disabilities, or to their education: disabled students with special needs;state funding for special schools.
a special person or thing.
a train used for a particular purpose, occasion, or the like.
a special edition of a newspaper.
Theater. a spotlight reserved for a particular area, property, actor, etc.: Give me the coffin special.
a temporary, arbitrary reduction in the price of regularly stocked goods, especially food; a particularly worthwhile offer or price: The special this week is on sirloin steaks.
Television. a single program not forming part of a regular series.
Origin of special
1synonym study For special
usage note For special
The phrase special needs is somewhat more accepted, but is less common than it used to be. Instead, when possible, make reference to the specific disability in question. However, the fixed expression special education is still an official designation in public education and continues to be used, even by speakers who otherwise avoid special and its compounds.
usage note For special
Other words for special
Opposites for special
Other words from special
- spe·cial·ly, adverb
- in·ter·spe·cial, adjective
- non·spe·cial, adjective, noun
- su·per·spe·cial, adjective, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for special
/ (ˈspɛʃəl) /
distinguished, set apart from, or excelling others of its kind
(prenominal) designed or reserved for a particular purpose: a special tool for working leather
not usual or commonplace
(prenominal) particular or primary: his special interest was music
denoting or relating to the education of physically or mentally handicapped children: a special school
a special person or thing, such as an extra edition of a newspaper or a train reserved for a particular purpose
a dish or meal given prominence, esp at a low price, in a café, etc
Australian history slang a convict given special treatment on account of his education, social class, etc
short for special constable
Australian, NZ, US and Canadian informal an item in a store that is advertised at a reduced price; a loss leader
NZ informal to advertise and sell (an item) at a reduced price: we are specialling butter this week
Origin of special
1special
Derived forms of special
- specially, adverb
- specialness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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