Special Definition

spĕshəl
specials
adjective
Exceptional; extraordinary.
A special treat.
Webster's New World
Of a kind different from others; distinctive, peculiar, or unique.
Webster's New World
Highly regarded or valued.
A special friend.
Webster's New World
Primary.
His special satisfaction comes from volunteer work.
American Heritage
Peculiar to a specific person or thing; particular.
My own special chair; the special features of a computer.
American Heritage
noun
specials
A special person or thing; specif., a special train, edition, sale offer or item, etc.
Webster's New World
Something arranged, issued, or appropriated to a particular service or occasion.
Rode to work on the commuter special.
American Heritage
A single TV program, not part of a regular series.
Webster's New World
A featured attraction, such as a reduced price.
A special on salmon.
American Heritage
A single television production that features a specific work, a given topic, or a particular performer.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
  • pièce de résistance (French)
  • dish
  • pièce de résistance (French)
  • course

Other Word Forms of Special

Noun

Singular:
special
Plural:
specials

Origin of Special

  • From Middle English, from Old French especial (whence also French spécial), from Latin specialis (from species, speciei). Used in English since the 13th century.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English from Old French especial from Latin speciālis from speciēs kind species

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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