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

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

Confusables Note

See special.

Other Words From

• es·pecial·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of especial¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of especial¹

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

Example Sentences

"I feel especial pain and shame that a terrorist act was carried out by my own hands."

From BBC

China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has an especial dislike of Lai who has previously described himself as a "practical worker for Taiwan independence".

From Reuters

The Hubble Space Telescope, freed from the tethers of gravity and the blurriness of the atmosphere, can produce images of especial clarity.

From Salon

Shannon’s father’s deathbed sequence is an especial corker.

From New York Times

“One thing I leave in your especial care,” she said, the night before she left.

From Literature