special

/ˈspɛʃ.əl/
adjectivenounverb

Distinguished by a unique, particular, or unusual quality.

NWL Collins ENABLE

Adjective 4 meanings

  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.”

Noun 4 meanings

  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 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.”

  3. Unusual or exceptional episode of a series.

    “Did you see the Christmas special?”

  4. A special constable.

Verb 1 meaning

  1. To supervise a patient one-on-one.

Definitions: Wiktionary (CC BY-SA) via Kaikki/Wiktextract

Where it comes from

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.

Similar and opposite words

SPECIAL at a glance

SPECIAL has 7 letters and scores 11 points in Scrabble (S 1 + P 3 + E 1 + C 3 + I 1 + A 1 + L 1) and 14 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #435 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.

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