special
special Lexical Profile
special Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Better, greater, or otherwise different from what is usual; exceptional in quality, importance, or degree.
"They planned a special celebration for their grandparents' fiftieth wedding anniversary."
Belonging, relating, or unique to a particular person, place, or thing; distinctive.
"Each region of the country has its own special dialect and culinary traditions."
Designed, organized, or intended for a particular purpose, occasion, or group.
"You will need a special wrench to loosen those custom bolts."
Held in particular esteem or affection; chief or intimate.
"She set aside a special place on the mantelpiece for her grandmother's portrait."
• noun
A dish featured on a restaurant menu for a particular day, or a product offered at a reduced price for a limited time.
"The chef's daily special is pan-seared salmon with roasted asparagus."
A single television or radio program, broadcast, or publication that is not part of a regular series and focuses on a specific topic or performer.
"We stayed up late to watch the holiday television special."
• Rhymes for special
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French especial, from Latin specialis ('individual, particular'), derived from species ('appearance, kind, sort'), which is rooted in specere ('to look at').