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special

/ˈspɛʃ.əl/noun, adjective2 syllables

Special means: surpassing what is common or usual or expected.

Synonyms for special14

adjective, as in surpassing what is common or usual or expected

adjective, as in unique or specific to a person or thing or category

adjective, as in adapted to or reserved for a particular purpose

specialized, specialised

adjective, as in having a specific function or scope

adjective, as in first and most important

adjective, as in added to a regular schedule

extra, unscheduled

adjective, as in for a special service or occasion

also used for special

Includes material from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What does special mean?10

adjective

1

surpassing what is common or usual or expected“he paid especial attention to her”

2

unique or specific to a person or thing or category“the particular demands of the job”

3

adapted to or reserved for a particular purpose“a special kind of paint”

4

having a specific function or scope“a special (or specific) role in the mission”

5

first and most important“his special interest is music”

6

added to a regular schedule“a special holiday flight”

7

for a special service or occasion“a special correspondent”

noun

1

a special offering (usually temporary and at a reduced price) that is featured in advertising“they are having a special on pork chops”

2

a dish or meal given prominence in e.g. a restaurant

3

a television production that features a particular person or work or topic“the last of a series of BBC specials on Iran is being shown tonight”

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Special in a sentence

  • In case the shipment is delayed, we have special delay insurance.CC
  • Except in special circumstances, anyone is allowed to enter the building.unknown
  • I'll make this a special case, but try to keep it short.unknown
  • She has many boyfriends, but this one is special.CK
  • Birds, for instance, have a special protective device.unknown
  • If you join the special forces, my father won't talk to you anymore.Amastan
  • If you join the special forces, you will not be my son anymore.Amastan
  • Generally, special forces are used in very specific and dangerous missions.Amastan

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.

Forms of special

as a noun

plural
specials

as a adjective

comparative
specialer
superlative
specialest