special

[spesh-uhl] / ˈspɛʃ əl /

ADJECTIVE

distinguished, distinctive; important in own way

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appropriate certain different exceptional exclusive extraordinary individual limited main major memorable particular peculiar personal primary proper rare significant specialized specific unique unusual

STRONG

best characteristic chief choice express first gala set smashing sole

WEAK

defined definite designated determinate earmarked especial festive marked momentous out of the ordinary red-letter reserved restricted select uncommon unreal

Antonyms

STRONGEST

OK common commonplace conventional familiar general improper indefinite insignificant like minor normal ordinary regular secondary similar standard uncertain unimportant unlimited unnoteworthy unrestricted unsuitable usual

STRONG

least worst

WEAK

indistinctive undistinguished

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Seeing the effects of the various tests they were running actually modifying what we were seeing from the signal in real time, that was something really special," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Its bras typically range from $225 to $650, and special editions cost more.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

“My folks left a special care trust for my brother, who had cerebral palsy. I am the trustee, along with my son,” she wrote.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

Democrat Analilia Mejia has won the special election for a safely blue U.S.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2026

She reached out, and for a moment, I thought she was going to give me something special, maybe something magical that would help me.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff

Vocabulary lists containing special

"The Lotus Seed"

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Century 21 Accounting, 9e, Chapters 4-7

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"Glencoe Accounting: Real-World Applications & Connections," Vocabulary from Chapter 11

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