1spe·cial 
/ˈspɛʃəl/ adjective
/ˈspɛʃəl/ adjective 1 [more special; most special] : different from what is normal or usual
▪ This is a special case and I want you to handle it personally. ▪ Only under special circumstances will you be allowed to retake the test. ▪ Is there any special [=particular] reason why you're not coming? ; especially : unusual in a good way : better or more important than others
▪ Your many years of service put you in a special category. ▪ Why should you receive any special treatment? ▪ It takes a special quality to do what he did. ▪ This is a very special occasion. ▪ Are you doing anything special over the holidays? ▪ The movie was nothing special. [=was not particularly good] ▪ We have a special guest tonight—the mayor. 2 [more special; most special] : especially important or loved
▪ a special friend ▪ No one is more special to me than my wife. ▪ He always made her feel special. ▪ He holds a special place in her heart. 3 always used before a noun a : more than is usual
▪ Pay special attention to the last paragraph. ▪ Take special care on the way down the stairs. ▪ They showed special concern for the children. ▪ The report places special emphasis on new technology.
b : additional or extra
▪ a special edition of a newspaper ▪ He won't tell us the special ingredient in his salad dressing. ▪ This camera has a special feature that lets you take panoramic views. 4 always used before a noun : relating to or intended for a particular purpose
▪ a special diet ▪ He was on special assignment for the government. ▪ special election coverage ▪ I was given special orders not to let you in. ▪ To clean the oven, I had to wear special gloves. [=a particular kind of glove] ▪ Do you have any special instructions for the babysitter? ▪ a special correspondent/prosecutor
▪ This is a special case and I want you to handle it personally. ▪ Only under special circumstances will you be allowed to retake the test. ▪ Is there any special [=particular] reason why you're not coming? ; especially : unusual in a good way : better or more important than others
▪ Your many years of service put you in a special category. ▪ Why should you receive any special treatment? ▪ It takes a special quality to do what he did. ▪ This is a very special occasion. ▪ Are you doing anything special over the holidays? ▪ The movie was nothing special. [=was not particularly good] ▪ We have a special guest tonight—the mayor.
▪ a special friend ▪ No one is more special to me than my wife. ▪ He always made her feel special. ▪ He holds a special place in her heart.
▪ Pay special attention to the last paragraph. ▪ Take special care on the way down the stairs. ▪ They showed special concern for the children. ▪ The report places special emphasis on new technology.
b : additional or extra
▪ a special edition of a newspaper ▪ He won't tell us the special ingredient in his salad dressing. ▪ This camera has a special feature that lets you take panoramic views.
▪ a special diet ▪ He was on special assignment for the government. ▪ special election coverage ▪ I was given special orders not to let you in. ▪ To clean the oven, I had to wear special gloves. [=a particular kind of glove] ▪ Do you have any special instructions for the babysitter? ▪ a special correspondent/prosecutor
