adj

special

SPEHSH-uhl

adj

Different from what is usual or ordinary in a valued way.

"She saved her favorite dress for a special occasion."

"Every child is special in their own way."

noun

A reduced price offered for a limited time, or the item sold at that price.

"The restaurant's lunch special was soup and a sandwich for six dollars."

A one-off television or radio program outside the usual schedule.

"The network aired a holiday special featuring the whole cast."

How to Use Special

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStanding out from the ordinary — either because something matters more, costs less for a limited time, or is a one-time broadcast.

Common pairings

something special today's special a Christmas special

Word Forms

more special comparative, specialer comparative, specialed past tense, specialled past tense, specials plural, specials singular, most special superlative, specialest superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “special” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She saved her favorite dress for a _____ occasion.

Etymology

From Latin specialis, "individual, particular," from species, "kind" — the same root behind "species" and "specific."

Antonyms

common common-or-garden everyday general nonspecial ordinary run-of-the-mill usual

Related Words

standard general bad common bishop generic unholy ordinary

Rhymes for special

dial vial trial aerial serial filial denial medial racial social burial facial

See all rhymes for special →

People Also Searched

common common-or-garden everyday general nonspecial ordinary run-of-the-mill usual standard bad bishop generic