What does "special" mean?
A reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered; the thing thus sold.
Special
/ˈspɛʃ.əl/ adj, noun, verb, slang
adj, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered; the thing thus sold.
- Grammar: special is listed as adj, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: particular, absolute, amtrak, another.
- Useful contrasts: common, common-or-garden, everyday.
- Usage evidence: The head of the college, Miss Baker, had a special place in the car park for her small car.
How to use "special"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "special" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "special" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "special" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "special" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "special" is acting as adj, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "particular" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "special", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 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."
- 2 a television production that features a particular person or work or topic wordnet
- 3 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."
- 4 a special offering (usually temporary and at a reduced price) that is featured in advertising wordnet
- 5 Unusual or exceptional episode of a series.
"Did you see the Christmas special?"
Show 10 more definitions
- 6 a dish or meal given prominence in e.g. a restaurant wordnet
- 7 A special constable. British, colloquial
"And you can't trust a "Special" like the old-time copper when you can't find your way home."
- 8 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."
- 9 Any unlicensed medicine produced or obtained for a specific individual patient.
- 10 An award, typically a free game, that is made available to the player upon reaching or completing a major objective in a pinball game.
- 11 A journalist sent to the scene of an event to report back.
- 12 A dispatch sent back by a special correspondent.
- 13 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."
- 14 One of certain mixed-breed dogs.
"Singapore Special; Darwin special"
- 15 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
- 1 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."
Adjective
- 1 Distinguished by a unique, particular, or unusual quality.
"a special episode of a television series"
- 2 Of particular value or interest; dear; beloved.
"Everyone is special to someone."
- 3 Of or related to unconventional warfare.
"special forces, special operations"
- 4 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."
- 5 Constituting or relating to a species.
"Having seven dark spots is a special property unique to Coccinella septempunctata."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 Of or related to disabilities, especially learning or intellectual disabilities. euphemistic, not-comparable
"special education, special needs"
- 7 Of or related to disabilities, especially learning or intellectual disabilities.; Stupid, lacking intelligence. broadly, comparable, derogatory, euphemistic, not-comparable, offensive, often
"What do you mean, you don't understand the sign? What are you, special?"
- 8 Of, being, or pertaining to sexual intercourse or the genitals. euphemistic, not-comparable
"The parents told the kids not to bother them during special time."
- 9 Infused with a drug, especially marijuana; being an edible. euphemistic, not-comparable
"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"
Adjective
- 1 surpassing what is common or usual or expected wordnet
- 2 having a specific function or scope wordnet
- 3 unique or specific to a person or thing or category wordnet
- 4 for a special service or occasion wordnet
- 5 first and most important wordnet
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 adapted to or reserved for a particular purpose wordnet
- 7 added to a regular schedule wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The head of the college, Miss Baker, had a special place in the car park for her small car."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "special"?
Common synonyms include: particular, absolute, amtrak, another, article, article of commerce.
How do you use "special" in a sentence?
The head of the college, Miss Baker, had a special place in the car park for her small car.
How do you pronounce "special"?
Pronounced /ˈspɛʃ.əl/.
Etymology
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.