First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
especial
adjective es·pe·cial \is-ˈpe-shəl\
: more than usual
Full Definition of ESPECIAL
: being distinctive: 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>
— in especial
: in particular
See especial defined for English-language learners
See especial defined for kids
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Origin of ESPECIAL
Middle English, from Anglo-French — more at special
Related to ESPECIAL
- Synonyms
- aberrant, aberrated, abnormal, anomalous, atypical, exceptional, exceeding, extraordinaire, extraordinary, freak, odd, peculiar, phenomenal, preternatural, rare, singular, uncommon, uncustomary, unique, unusual, unwonted
- Antonyms
- common, customary, normal, ordinary, typical, unexceptional, unextraordinary, usual
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
ESPECIAL Defined for Kids
especial
adjective es·pe·cial \i-ˈspe-shəl\
Definition of ESPECIAL for Kids
: more than usual : special
— es·pe·cial·ly adverb
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