1
special
/ˈspɛʃəl/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPECIAL
1
[more special; most special]
:
different from what is normal or usual
-
This is a special case and I want you to handle it personally.
-
Only under special circumstances will you be allowed to retake the test.
-
Is there any special [=particular] reason why you're not coming?
especially
:
unusual in a good way
:
better or more important than others
-
Your many years of service put you in a special category.
-
Why should you receive any special treatment?
-
It takes a special quality to do what he did.
-
This is a very special occasion.
-
Are you doing anything special over the holidays?
-
The movie was nothing special. [=was not particularly good]
-
We have a special guest tonight—the mayor.
2
[more special; most special]
:
especially important or loved
-
a special friend
-
No one is more special to me than my wife.
-
He always made her feel special.
-
He holds a special place in her heart.
3
always used before a noun
a
:
more than is usual
-
Pay special attention to the last paragraph.
-
Take special care on the way down the stairs.
-
They showed special concern for the children.
-
The report places special emphasis on new technology.
b
:
additional or extra
-
a special edition of a newspaper
-
He won't tell us the special ingredient in his salad dressing.
-
This camera has a special feature that lets you take panoramic views.
4
always used before a noun
:
relating to or intended for a particular purpose
-
a special diet
-
He was on special assignment for the government.
-
special election coverage
-
I was given special orders not to let you in.
-
To clean the oven, I had to wear special gloves. [=a particular kind of glove]
-
Do you have any special instructions for the babysitter?
-
a special correspondent/prosecutor
2
special
/ˈspɛʃəl/
noun
plural
specials
plural
specials
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPECIAL
[count]
1
:
a television or radio program that is not part of a regular series
2
:
a meal that is not on a restaurant's usual menu
on special
US
:
selling at a price that is lower than usual
:
on sale