VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

special

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈspeʃəl/
US/ˈspeʃəl/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    Better, more important, or different from what is usual.

    Grammar: Common before nouns and after linking verbs; compare with more special and most special.

    Patterns

    • a special day
    • feel special
    • special to someone

    Today is a special day because the project finally launched.

    She made each guest feel special.

  2. adjectivebefore a noun

    Made or intended for a particular purpose, person, or occasion.

    Grammar: Mostly comes directly before a noun in this use: special tools, a special edition.

    Patterns

    • special tools
    • special edition
    • special instructions

    Use special tools to open the sealed panel.

    The bakery made a special cake for the anniversary.

  3. adjectivebefore a noun

    Designed for people with particular needs, especially in education or services.

    Grammar: Attributive in fixed phrases such as special education and special needs.

    Patterns

    • special education
    • special needs
    • special services

    The school hired a teacher for special education.

    The app includes settings for users with special needs.

Word forms

comparativemore special
superlativemost special

Common combinations

special occasion
They saved the good dishes for a special occasion.
special effects
The film used practical special effects instead of CGI.
special needs
The museum offers guides for visitors with special needs.
special delivery
The contract arrived by special delivery.
special friend
She described her mentor as a special friend.

Synonyms and how they differ

exceptional
Exceptional means unusually good or unusual; special can be warmer and more personal.
particular
Particular means specific, not necessarily better or emotionally valued.
unique
Unique means one of a kind and is stronger than special.

Opposites

ordinarycommongeneric

Word family

specially adverb
for a particular purpose; differs from especially, meaning particularly.
specialist noun
a person with deep knowledge in one area.
specialty noun
an area of special skill or a featured product; American spelling of speciality.
specialize verb
to focus on one subject, skill, or product.

Commonly confused: special or especially? special or especial?

special vs especially

Special is an adjective; especially is an adverb meaning particularly.

special vs especial

Especial is formal and usually means particular; special is the everyday adjective.

Practice

Choose the correct form: “She brought a ___ gift for her teacher.”

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “special”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words