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View synonyms for especial

especial

[ ih-spesh-uhl ]

adjective

  1. special; exceptional; outstanding:

    of no especial importance; an especial friend.

  2. of a particular kind, or peculiar to a particular one; particular:

    your especial case.



especial

/ ɪˈspɛʃəl /

adjective

  1. unusual; notable; exceptional

    he paid especial attention to her that evening

  2. applying to one person or thing in particular; not general; specific; peculiar

    he had an especial dislike of relatives



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Usage

Especial and especially have a more limited use than special and specially. Special is always used in preference to especial when the sense is one of being out of the ordinary: a special lesson; he has been specially trained. Special is also used when something is referred to as being for a particular purpose: the word was specially underlined for you. Where an idea of pre-eminence or individuality is involved, either especial or special may be used: he is my especial (or special ) friend; he is especially (or specially ) good at his job. In informal English, however, special is usually preferred in all contexts

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Confusables Note

See special.

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Other Words From

  • es·pecial·ness noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of especial1

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French < Latin speciālis pertaining to a particular kind. See special

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Word History and Origins

Origin of especial1

C14: from Old French, from Latin speciālis individual; see special

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Example Sentences

It's like those cases where conservatives approve of "our" blacks and Latinos with an especial zeal.

Sylvia Gereda, founder and editor in chief of Informe Especial, discusses the devastating violence some women endure.

Alford speaks of this as remarkable; but vision is the especial promise of Wisdom, therefore of Solomon, son of David.

Augustus Theodore swings on a chair before the fire, which he keeps at work for his own especial consolation.

I write to you as a friend, and by Mariamne's especial order, to take care of yourself.

Books of impassioned poetry, and descriptions of heroic character and achievements, were her especial delight.

Your friends will, unless there is some especial reason for a call in the interval, pay their visit upon the day named.

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espec.especially