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Definition of 'especial'

Word Frequency

especial

(ɪspeʃəl )
adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Especial means unusual or special in some way.
[formal]
The authorities took especial interest in him because of his trade union work.
More Synonyms of especial
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency

especial in British

(ɪˈspɛʃəl )
adjective (prenominal)
1. 
unusual; notable; exceptional
he paid especial attention to her that evening
2. 
applying to one person or thing in particular; not general; specific; peculiar
he had an especial dislike of relatives
▶ USAGE Especial and especially have a more limited use than special and specially. Special is always used in preference to especial when the sense is one of being out of the ordinary: a special lesson; he has been specially trained. Special is also used when something is referred to as being for a particular purpose: the word was specially underlined for you. Where an idea of pre-eminence or individuality is involved, either especial or special may be used: he is my especial (or special) friend; he is especially (or specially) good at his job. In informal English, however, special is usually preferred in all contexts
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin of 'especial'
C14: from Old French, from Latin speciālis individual; see special
Word Frequency

especial in American

(ɛˈspɛʃəl ; espeshˈəl; ɪˈspɛʃəl ; ispeshˈəl)
adjective
special; particular; outstanding; exceptional
SIMILAR WORDS:  ˈspecial
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin of 'especial'
ME & OFr < L specialis

Example sentences containing 'especial'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
Hooch grunted, gently, under his breath, as if this comment had an especial significance for him, personally. Nicola Barker BEHINDLINGS (2002)

Trends of 'especial'

Used Occasionally. especial is one of the 30000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Nearby words of 'especial'

  • España
  • español
  • esparto
  • especial
  • especially
  • esperance
  • Esperanto

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'E'

Source

Definition of especial from the Collins English Dictionary

Showing possession through nouns

Possession can be shown in two ways: The man was mending his car. The car was being mended by a man. by adding-’s to a singular noun, or an irregular plural noun that does not end in - s. ...
Read more about 'Showing possession through nouns'
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Scrabble score for 'especial': 12
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