Special — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈspe-shəl/ spe·cial

Meaning & Definition of Special

Special (adjective)

  1. distinguished by some unusual quality; especially, being in some way superior
  2. held in particular esteem
  3. readily distinguishable from others of the same category, unique

Special (noun)

  1. one that is used for a special service or occasion
  2. something (such as a television program) that is not part of a regular series
  3. a featured dish at a restaurant

Special (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being the one or ones of a class with no other members

    "the President claimed that international terrorism was a special threat that required a special way of dealing with it"

    similar: alone, lone, one, one-off, only, singular, sole, solitary, sui generis, unique
    related: single, solo, unaccompanied, unattended, incomparable, inimitable, matchless, peerless, unequaled, unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled, unsurpassable, unsurpassed, distinct, distinctive, individual, separate, nonce
    near: divers, manifold, multifarious, myriad, assorted, heterogenous, miscellaneous, mixed, motley, patchwork, promiscuous, varied, popular, prevailing, prevalent, rampant, perennial, recurrent, repeated

  2. granted special treatment or attention

    "one student who was treated as special by the teacher"

    similar: beloved, cherished, darling, dear, fair-haired, favored, favorite, fond, loved, pet, precious, sweet, white-headed
    related: admired, adored, appreciated, esteemed, relished, revered, prized, treasured, preferred
    opposite: unbeloved
    near: abhorred, abominated, despised, detested, disdained, disfavored, disliked, execrated, hated, loathed, unfavorite, abandoned, forgotten, ignored, alienated, estranged

  3. of a particular or exact sort

    "you'll need special permission from the fire department to do that"

    similar: concrete, distinct, especial, express, peculiar, precise, set, specific
    related: lone, only, separate, single, sole, solitary, distinctive, exclusive, individual, unique, limited, restricted, differentiated, specialized, given, specified
    opposite: nonspecific
    near: general, generalized, generic, nonexclusive, universal

Related Entry: Special interest (noun)

Special interest is a different word from Special. The synonyms below are for special interest, not for special.

  1. a group of people with a common identifying interest that they seek to protect and promote

    "promised that as governor he would never be beholden to special interests"

    similar: interest, interest group, pressure group
    related: vested interest, political action committee

Related Entry: Special deliveries (noun)

Special deliveries is a different word from Special. The synonyms below are for special deliveries, not for special.

  1. as in registered mails, certified mails

    similar: airmails, airposts, certified mails, registered mails, rural deliveries, rural free deliveries, special handlings, correspondences, mails, matters, parcel posts, posts (chiefly British), snail mail, direct mails, junk mails, mailers, cards, dispatches, epistles, letters, messages, missives, notes, postal cards, postcards, printed matters, bundles, packages, shipments

Related Entry: Special delivery (noun)

Special delivery is a different word from Special. The synonyms below are for special delivery, not for special.

  1. as in registered mail, certified mail

    similar: airmail, airpost, certified mail, registered mail, rural delivery, rural free delivery, special handling, correspondence, mail, matter, parcel post, post (chiefly British), snail mail, direct mail, junk mail, mailer, card, dispatch, epistle, letter, message, missive, note, postal card, postcard, printed matter, bundle, package, shipment

Related Entry: Special handling (noun)

Special handling is a different word from Special. The synonyms below are for special handling, not for special.

  1. as in special delivery, registered mail

    similar: airmail, airpost, certified mail, registered mail, rural delivery, rural free delivery, special delivery, correspondence, mail, matter, parcel post, post (chiefly British), snail mail, direct mail, junk mail, mailer, card, dispatch, epistle, letter, message, missive, note, postal card, postcard, printed matter, bundle, package, shipment

Related Entry: Special handlings (noun)

Special handlings is a different word from Special. The synonyms below are for special handlings, not for special.

  1. as in special deliveries, registered mails

    similar: airmails, airposts, certified mails, registered mails, rural deliveries, rural free deliveries, special deliveries, correspondences, mails, matters, parcel posts, posts (chiefly British), snail mail, direct mails, junk mails, mailers, cards, dispatches, epistles, letters, messages, missives, notes, postal cards, postcards, printed matters, bundles, packages, shipments

Related Entry: Special-needs (adjective)

Special-needs is a different word from Special. The synonyms below are for special-needs, not for special.

  1. as in disabled, sick

    similar: ailing, diseased, ill, incapacitated, sick, unfit, unhealthy, unsound, unwell, hemiplegic, paralyzed, paraplegic, quadriplegic, differently abled, disabled, exceptional, impaired, immobile, immobilized
    opposite: able-bodied, abled, nondisabled, unimpaired, bouncing, chipper, fit, hale, healthy, hearty, robust, sound, well, whole, wholesome

Related Entry: Special interests (noun)

Special interests is a different word from Special. The synonyms below are for special interests, not for special.

  1. a group of people with a common identifying interest that they seek to protect and promote

    "promised that as governor he would never be beholden to special interests"

    similar: interest groups, interests, pressure groups
    related: vested interests, political action committees

Related Entry: Relativity (noun)

Relativity is a different word from Special. The synonyms below are for relativity, not for special.

  1. the state of having a relation to or connection with or being necessarily reliant upon something else

    similar: reciprocity, dependence, dependency, reliance, confidence, credence, faith, stock, trust
    opposite: autonomy, self-determination, sovereignty, independence, independency, self-dependence, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, self-support

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Special

The most common words with a similar meaning to Special:

alone, lone, one, one-off, only, singular, sole, solitary, sui generis, unique, beloved, cherished, darling, dear, fair-haired, favored, favorite, fond, loved, pet, precious, sweet, white-headed, concrete, distinct, especial, express, peculiar, precise, set, specific

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Special

Words with the opposite meaning of Special:

unbeloved, nonspecific

Related Words for Special

single, solo, unaccompanied, unattended, incomparable, inimitable, matchless, peerless, unequaled, unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled, unsurpassable, unsurpassed, distinctive, individual, separate, nonce, admired, adored, appreciated, esteemed, relished, revered, prized, treasured, preferred, exclusive, limited, restricted

Near Antonyms of Special

divers, manifold, multifarious, myriad, assorted, heterogenous, miscellaneous, mixed, motley, patchwork, promiscuous, varied, popular, prevailing, prevalent, rampant, perennial, recurrent, repeated, abhorred, abominated, despised, detested, disdained, disfavored, disliked, execrated, hated, loathed, unfavorite

Word Forms of Special

Derived words: specialness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Special

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French especial, from Latin specialis individual, particular, from species species

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Special

Words & Phrases Containing Special

special assessment, special counsel, special delivery, special district, special drawing rights, special education, special effects, Special Forces

Frequently Asked Questions about Special

What does "Special" mean?

"Special" means distinguished by some unusual quality; especially, being in some way superior. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: distinguished by some unusual quality; especially, being in some way superior. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Special"?

Other words for "Special" include alone, lone, one, one-off, only, singular, sole and solitary. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Special" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Special"?

There are 65 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Special". Common alternatives include alone, lone, one, one-off, only, singular, sole, solitary, sui generis and unique.

What is the opposite of "Special"?

Antonyms of "Special" include unbeloved and nonspecific. Near antonyms include divers, manifold, multifarious and myriad.

How do you use "Special" in a sentence?

Examples of "Special" in a sentence: "the President claimed that international terrorism was a special threat that required a special way of dealing with it"; "one student who was treated as special by the teacher"; "you'll need special permission from the fire department to do that".

Is "Special" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Special" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Special" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Special" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Special"?

"Special" is pronounced /ˈspe-shəl/ and divided into syllables as spe·cial.