especially
ih-SPEHSH-lee
Especially (adv) means to a greater degree than usual; particularly. Example: “The traffic was bad, especially near the stadium.”
adv
1
To a greater degree than usual; particularly.
"At tech companies that spent recent years expanding paid parental leave, parents have felt the whiplash of mass layoffs in an especially visceral way."
— Kurtis Lee, California Economy Is on Edge After Tech Layoffs and Studio Cutbacks (2023)
"The traffic was bad, especially near the stadium."
"She loves reading, especially historical fiction."
"I enjoy all kinds of fruit, especially fresh mangoes in summer."
How to use especially
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to point out that something applies more strongly to one thing than others.
Common mistake
Often confused with "specially" — "especially" means "particularly" or "above all," while "specially" means "for a specific purpose."
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more especially
- Superlative
- most especially
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The traffic was bad, _____ near the stadium.
Etymology
From "especial" plus the adverb suffix -ly — "especial" itself traces back to Latin specialis, "of a particular kind."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for especially
See all rhymes for especially →Frequently asked questions
What does “especially” mean?
The word “especially” means to a greater degree than usual; particularly. In plain terms, used to point out that something applies more strongly to one thing than others.
How do you pronounce “especially”?
“Especially” is pronounced ih-SPEHSH-lee (/ɪˈspɛʃ.(ə.)li/ in IPA).
How do you use “especially” in a sentence?
Here is “especially” used in a sentence: “The traffic was bad, especially near the stadium.”
What part of speech is “especially”?
“Especially” is an adverb.
Where does the word “especially” come from?
The word “especially” comes from Latin. From "especial" plus the adverb suffix -ly — "especial" itself traces back to Latin specialis, "of a particular kind.".
Is “especially” a common word?
“Especially” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between especially and specially?
"Especially" means to a greater degree or particularly, as in "I love fruit, especially mangoes." "Specially" means for a specific purpose, as in "a cake made specially for you." If you can replace the word with "particularly," use "especially"; if you mean "for a special reason," use "specially." They overlap but are not identical.
What is an example of 'especially' in a sentence?
"The garden is beautiful, especially in spring" shows the meaning: spring stands out above the other seasons. It highlights one thing as more notable than the rest. Another example is "he was especially kind that day," meaning kinder than usual, to a greater degree than normal.
Can you start a sentence with 'especially'?
Yes, though it is less common. "Especially" often works best mid-sentence, right before the thing it emphasises. Starting with it is acceptable for effect, as in "Especially in winter, the roads can be dangerous," but many writers prefer to place it closer to the word or idea it singles out.
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