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English Lexicon

Special

/ˈspɛʃ.əl/
adjectivenounCEFR A1 (Beginner)Top #200 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As adjective
  1. 1

    Better, greater, or otherwise different from what is usual.

    "She received special treatment because of her outstanding performance."
  2. 2

    Designed for a particular purpose or occasion.

    "The restaurant offers a special menu for holidays."
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Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum

Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Latin word 'specialis', meaning individual or particular, originating from 'species' (appearance, kind, sort). It entered Middle English via Old French in the 13th century, shifting in meaning from denoting a specific kind to indicating something exceptional or out of the ordinary.

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