special

special — adjective

1. not like most others of the same type; unusual enough to be noticed or mentioned

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

not like most others of the same type; unusual enough to be noticed or mentioned

Example

Anong prepared a special kind of tea from her grandmother's village.

collocation: special kind of

The night-shift nurse noticed a special smell coming from the empty room.

Common collocations
  • special kind of
  • special type of
  • special way of
Synonyms
  • unusual

    similar meaning but does not always carry the same positive or neutral tone; 'unusual' can suggest strangeness

  • distinctive

    focuses on being clearly different in a noticeable way; slightly more formal

  • unique

    stronger — means one of a kind; do not use with modifiers like 'very'

Antonyms
  • ordinary

    the most common opposite at A2 level

  • normal

    describes what is expected or typical

2. noticeably better, greater, or more important than what is usual for its type

2.adjectiveA2
Definition

noticeably better, greater, or more important than what is usual for its type

Example

Romi's grandmother cooked a special dinner to celebrate the family reunion.

collocation: special [occasion/event/meal]

Lukas received a special award for helping his neighbours during the flood.

Common collocations
  • special occasion
  • special day
  • special moment
  • special relationship
  • something special
  • nothing special
Synonyms
  • exceptional

    more formal; suggests unusually high quality

  • remarkable

    suggests something worth talking about because it is so good

  • outstanding

    implies being noticeably better than others; common in school and work contexts

  • extraordinary

    stronger than 'special'; suggests something far beyond the normal range

Antonyms
  • ordinary

    used for things that are not special or memorable

  • average

    suggests being at the middle level with nothing remarkable

Usage Note

This sense is frequently used before nouns like 'occasion', 'celebration', 'day', 'moment', and 'relationship' to emphasize emotional importance. Unlike sense 1 (NOT USUAL), this sense has a strongly positive tone.

Common Mistakes

This is a very special unique opportunity.
This is a very special opportunity.
'unique' already means one of a kind, so 'very special unique' is redundant.

3. made, organized, or used for a single particular aim, need, or situation rather

3.adjectiveB1
Definition

made, organized, or used for a single particular aim, need, or situation rather than for general use

Example

The school hired a special teacher to work with students who have hearing difficulties.

collocation: special [teacher/equipment/school]

Minho bought a special brush for cleaning the narrow spaces between his teeth.

Common collocations
  • special needs
  • special offer
  • special effects
  • special delivery
  • special equipment
  • special training
Synonyms
  • specific

    focuses on exactness rather than purpose; 'a specific tool' means a particular one, while 'a special tool' means one designed for that job

  • dedicated

    more formal; suggests something is reserved exclusively for a purpose

Antonyms
  • general

    describes something suitable for many different uses

  • ordinary

    describes something without a specific design or purpose

Usage Note

Often appears in compound nouns: 'special offer', 'special needs', 'special effects', 'special delivery'. The noun that follows names the area or purpose for which something has been designed.

Common Mistakes

I need a special tool for fix the pipe.
I need a special tool to fix the pipe.
use 'to + infinitive' after a noun to explain its purpose, not 'for + verb'.

4. belonging to or meant for a single person, group, or purpose and not shared with

4.adjectiveB1
Definition

belonging to or meant for a single person, group, or purpose and not shared with others

Example

The chef made a special meal for a guest who cannot eat cheese or nuts.

collocation: special meal / special diet

Henrik kept a special chair in the corner that no one else could use.

Common collocations
  • special meal
  • special seat
  • special place
  • special arrangement
Synonyms
  • personal

    focuses on individual ownership or use; 'my personal chair' vs 'my special chair'

  • private

    emphasizes that others are not allowed access

  • exclusive

    more formal; suggests that something is limited to a particular person or group

Antonyms
  • shared

    used by more than one person

  • public

    available for anyone to use

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 3 (PARTICULAR): sense 3 focuses on design for a function (e.g. a 'special tool' for a job), while this sense focuses on exclusive use (e.g. 'a special seat' reserved for someone). 'Special' in this sense is close to 'reserved' or 'exclusive'.

special — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

All five words describe something that stands above the normal level, but they differ in strength and context. 'Special' is the most common and least formal; it can describe anything that feels personally important (a special day, a special gift). 'Exceptional' suggests something that is clearly outside the normal range, often in skill or quality ('an exceptional student'). 'Extraordinary' is stronger still and implies something so unusual that it is almost surprising ('an extraordinary discovery'). 'Outstanding' is common in school and work settings for performance that is noticeably better than others ('outstanding results'). 'Remarkable' focuses on the idea that something is worth commenting on because it is so unusual or impressive ('a remarkable achievement'). For everyday conversation, use 'special'; for formal or written contexts where you want to emphasize how far above the norm something is, the other options are better choices.

special ↗exceptional ↗extraordinary ↗outstanding ↗remarkable ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • nothing special
  • something special
  • make special
  • feel special

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'special' comes from Latin 'specialis', meaning 'belonging to a particular kind or species'. This was formed from 'species' ('a kind, sort, or appearance'). It entered English in the 13th century through Old French 'especial' and gradually took on the sense of 'exceptional or noteworthy' by the 16th century.