special
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special
- /ˈspɛʃ.əl/ US, UK
- [ˈspɛʃ.ɫ̩] US, UK
- /ˈspeʃ.əl/ Australia, New Zealand
- [ˈspeʃ.ɫ̩] Australia, New Zealand
Rhymes with -ɛʃəl
Where it comes from
From Middle English *special, especial, especiall, from Old French especial (whence also French spécial), from Latin speciālis (from speciēs). In this sense displaced native Old English synderlīċ. Doublet of especial.
adjective more special · specialer · most special · specialest
- Distinguished by a unique, particular, or unusual quality. a special episode of a television series
- Of particular value or interest; dear; beloved. Everyone is special to someone.
- Of or related to unconventional warfare. special forces, special operations
- Appointed specifically to examine a single event or issue. For the few times the U.S. Supreme Court has to actually try a case, they will appoint a special master to do so.
- Constituting or relating to a species. Having seven dark spots is a special property unique to Coccinella septempunctata.
- Of or related to disabilities, especially learning or intellectual disabilities. special education, special needs
- Stupid, lacking intelligence. What do you mean, you don't understand the sign? What are you, special?
- Of, being, or pertaining to sexual intercourse or the genitals. The parents told the kids not to bother them during special time.
- Infused with a drug, especially marijuana; being an edible. This book will help you to […] • Cook with the confidence that the neighbors won't find out your brownies are 'special' • Never again worry about getting caught growing because someone smelled your garden
noun specials
- A reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered; the thing thus sold. We're running a special on turkey for Thanksgiving.
- A meal offered only at a certain time by a restaurant, not as a standing fixture of the menu; often, one of a rotation of meals systematically offered for a lower price; also often a dish at a nondiscounted price that is seasonal or otherwise exciting or unusual. Today's dinner special is wild salmon, which we don't normally get a chance to offer.
- Unusual or exceptional episode of a series. Did you see the Christmas special?
- A special constable. And you can't trust a "Special" like the old-time copper when you can't find your way home.
- Anything that is not according to normal practice, plan, or schedule, as an unscheduled run of transportation that is normally scheduled. Thousands came to see the special that carried the President's coffin.
- Any unlicensed medicine produced or obtained for a specific individual patient.
- An award, typically a free game, that is made available to the player upon reaching or completing a major objective in a pinball game.
- A journalist sent to the scene of an event to report back.
- A dispatch sent back by a special correspondent.
- A light that illuminates a specific person or thing on the stage. In addition to followspots, there will be three frontlight specials on Autoyokes hung on the truss to provide frontlight specials.
- One of certain mixed-breed dogs. Singapore Special; Darwin special
- A racehorse predicted to win; a sure thing. "How's your horse going to go Fatty?" My replies included, "It's a special." "Get on. It can't be beaten."
verb specials · specialing · specialling · specialed · specialled
- To supervise a patient one-on-one. We have not sent our pupils out on private duty except a very few times, but they have an unusual amount of specialing to do inside.
