special

Special means "better than ordinary." Like the self-portrait you lovingly painted as a surprise for your sweetie's birthday, something special is distinct, and surpasses the norm.

Something special is looked upon with affection, surpasses expectations, or has a particular role. It can also be a featured attraction or limited-run occurrence — like when there's a special on television or a special on cheese at the store. Ray Charles said, “Love is a special word, and I use it only when I mean it. You say the word too much and it becomes cheap.” Take this sweet crooner’s advice and don’t wear out special sentiments.

Primary Meanings of special

1.
 adjn
adapted to or reserved for a particular purpose
a special offering (usually temporary and at a reduced price) that is featured in advertising
2.
 adj
surpassing what is common or usual or expected
3.
 n
a dish or meal given prominence in e.g. a restaurant
4.
 n
a television production that features a particular person or work or topic
Full Definitions of special
1

adj adapted to or reserved for a particular purpose

“a special kind of paint”
“a special medication for arthritis”
Synonyms:
specialised, specialized
developed or designed for a special activity or function

adj having a specific function or scope

“a special (or specific) role in the mission”
Synonyms:
limited
specific
(sometimes followed by `to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique

adj for a special service or occasion

“a special correspondent”
“a special adviser to the committee”
“had to get special permission for the event”
Synonyms:
extraordinary
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

adj unique or specific to a person or thing or category

“the special features of a computer”
“my own special chair”
Synonyms:
particular, peculiar
specific
(sometimes followed by `to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique

adj first and most important

“his special interest is music”
Synonyms:
particular
primary
of first rank or importance or value; direct and immediate rather than secondary

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

“they are having a special on pork chops”
Type of:
offer, offering
something offered (as a proposal or bid)
2

adj surpassing what is common or usual or expected

“a special occasion”
“a special reason to confide in her”
“what's so special about the year 2000?”
Synonyms:
especial, exceptional, particular
uncommon
not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind

adj added to a regular schedule

“a special holiday flight”
“put on special buses for the big game”
Synonyms:
extra
unscheduled
not scheduled or not on a regular schedule
3

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

Type of:
dish
a particular item of prepared food
4

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

“the last of a series of BBC specials on Iran is being shown tonight”
Type of:
TV program, TV show, television program, television show
a program broadcast by television

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