SPECIAL

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does special mean? 

• SPECIAL (noun)
  The noun SPECIAL has 3 senses:

1. a special offering (usually temporary and at a reduced price) that is featured in advertising

2. a dish or meal given prominence in e.g. a restaurant

3. a television production that features a particular person or work or topic

  Familiarity information: SPECIAL used as a noun is uncommon.

• SPECIAL (adjective)
  The adjective SPECIAL has 7 senses:

1. unique or specific to a person or thing or category

2. for a special service or occasion

3. surpassing what is common or usual or expected

4. adapted to or reserved for a particular purpose

5. having a specific function or scope

6. first and most important

7. added to a regular schedule

  Familiarity information: SPECIAL used as an adjective is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SPECIAL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A special offering (usually temporary and at a reduced price) that is featured in advertising

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

they are having a special on pork chops

Hypernyms ("special" is a kind of...):

offer; offering (something offered (as a proposal or bid))

Sense 2

Meaning:

A dish or meal given prominence in e.g. a restaurant

Classified under:

Nouns denoting foods and drinks

Hypernyms ("special" is a kind of...):

dish (a particular item of prepared food)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A television production that features a particular person or work or topic

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

the last of a series of BBC specials on Iran is being shown tonight

Hypernyms ("special" is a kind of...):

television program; television show; TV program; TV show (a program broadcast by television)

• SPECIAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Unique or specific to a person or thing or category

Synonyms:

particular; peculiar; special

Context example:

my own special chair

Similar:

specific ((sometimes followed by 'to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique)

Derivation:

specialness (a distinguishing trait)

Sense 2

Meaning:

For a special service or occasion

Context example:

had to get special permission for the event

Similar:

extraordinary (beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable)

Derivation:

specialness (a distinguishing trait)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Surpassing what is common or usual or expected

Synonyms:

especial; exceptional; particular; special

Context example:

what's so special about the year 2000?

Similar:

uncommon (not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind)

Derivation:

specialness (a distinguishing trait)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Adapted to or reserved for a particular purpose

Context example:

a special medication for arthritis

Similar:

specialised; specialized (developed or designed for a special activity or function)

Derivation:

specialness (a distinguishing trait)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Having a specific function or scope

Synonyms:

limited; special

Context example:

a special (or specific) role in the mission

Similar:

specific ((sometimes followed by 'to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique)

Derivation:

speciality (an asset of special worth or utility)

specialness (a distinguishing trait)

Sense 6

Meaning:

First and most important

Synonyms:

particular; special

Context example:

she gets special (or particular) satisfaction from her volunteer work

Similar:

primary (of first rank or importance or value; direct and immediate rather than secondary)

Derivation:

speciality (an asset of special worth or utility)

specialness (a distinguishing trait)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Added to a regular schedule

Synonyms:

extra; special

Context example:

put on special buses for the big game

Similar:

unscheduled (not scheduled or not on a regular schedule)

 Context examples 

I'm taking special courses in English.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

An experience that is usually transient, and requires no special treatment or intervention.

(Mild Adverse Event, NCI Thesaurus)

Did you tell any one that you had this special task to perform?

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Then a special wide needle is pushed into the bone.

(Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, NCI Dictionary)

To find others, like heart defects, doctors use special tests.

(Birth Defects, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

If you are attached, you may decide to have another baby or to help a child you already have with special lessons.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Yes, there were several objects in the room which called for special attention.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"Can't we get a special?" asked Lord Godalming.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Images are made using a special machine that detects the radioactive substance.

(Nuclear medicine scan, NCI Dictionary)

He had even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian cigar.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)