especially

especially — adverb

1. used when you want to say that something applies to one case, person, or thing m

1.adverbA2
Definition

used when you want to say that something applies to one case, person, or thing more strongly than it does to others that are similar

Example

Lakan especially enjoys cooking Thai dishes on weekend evenings.

especially + verb for emphasis

The weather has been especially hot this summer, so the beaches are full every day.

Common collocations
  • especially important
  • especially difficult
  • especially when
  • especially good
  • especially if
Synonyms
  • particularly

    very close in meaning; 'particularly' can sound slightly more formal in some contexts

  • notably

    used when highlighting something striking or remarkable; more formal than 'especially'

  • above all

    stronger emphasis — means 'most importantly' rather than simply 'more than others'

Antonyms
  • generally

    broadly or without singling out any specific case

  • broadly

    considering a wide range rather than one particular aspect

Grammar Patterns

especially + adjective

especially + verb

especially + noun phrase

Usage Note

Common in both spoken and written English. Can go before the word it modifies (directly before an adjective or verb) or before a noun phrase that the speaker wants to single out.

Common Mistakes

This book is very especially good.
This book is especially good.
'very' and 'especially' both act as intensifiers; using them together is redundant.

2. used when you do something with one specific person, purpose, or occasion in min

2.adverbB1
Definition

used when you do something with one specific person, purpose, or occasion in mind, rather than doing it for any general reason

Example

Femi bought a new suit especially for his sister's wedding ceremony.

especially + for [person/event] to show purpose

Emre took a day off work especially to help his parents move house.

especially + to-infinitive to express specific purpose

Common collocations
  • especially for
  • especially designed for
  • especially made for
  • prepared especially for
  • meant especially for
Synonyms
  • specially

    nearly identical in meaning for this sense; 'specially' is more common in everyday British English, while American English prefers 'especially' for both senses

  • specifically

    emphasises the exact or precise nature of the purpose; slightly more formal

  • expressly

    formal; indicates the purpose was clearly stated or clearly intended

Antonyms
  • generally

    without a specific purpose or target in mind

Grammar Patterns

especially + for + noun / pronoun

especially + to-infinitive

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: in sense 2, 'especially' always relates to the purpose or intention behind an action. If you can replace 'especially' with 'in order to' or 'for the specific purpose of', you are using sense 2.

Common Mistakes

I made this especially for you, but I also like it a lot.' (when you mean you like it more than other things)
I made this especially for you, and I especially like the chocolate topping.
first 'especially' = sense 2 (purpose), second 'especially' = sense 1 (degree).
This gift is especially for you because you are especially my best friend.
This gift is especially for you because you are my best friend.
'especially my best friend' is ungrammatical; use 'especially' with a verb (especially like/love/admire) or adjective, not directly before a noun in that way.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four words highlight something as standing out, but the emphasis differs. 'Especially' is the most neutral and widely used in both speech and writing — it simply says something applies more than others. 'Particularly' is nearly identical but slightly more formal; you might find it more often in academic or professional writing ('The results were particularly striking'). 'Notably' draws attention to something that is remarkable or worth noticing, often in factual or data-driven contexts ('Sales rose notably in the third quarter'). 'Above all' is the strongest — it means 'most importantly' and sets a priority above everything else ('Above all, stay safe'). In everyday conversation, 'especially' and 'particularly' are interchangeable; choose 'notably' for formal reports and 'above all' when ranking importance.

especially ↗particularly ↗notably ↗above all ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • not especially
  • especially when
  • especially if

Phrases

  • especially in cases where
  • especially given that

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Formed in late Middle English from 'especial' (meaning 'special, exceptional') plus the adverb suffix '-ly'. 'Especial' came from Old French 'especial', which traces back to Latin 'specialis' ('belonging to a particular kind or species'), itself from 'species' ('kind, sort'). The 'e-' in 'especial' is from Latin 'ex-' ('out of'), so the core image is something singled out from the rest.