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