Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close

special

adjective · noun US /ˈspeʃəl/

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

How often you will meet it

Rank 1,589 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 11,430 times across 155,370 chapters — 0.005% of every word in the library.

What it means

adjective

  1. unique or specific to a person or thing or category also: particular, peculiar the particular demands of the jobhas a particular preference for Chinese art
  2. for a special service or occasion a special correspondenta special adviser to the committee
  3. surpassing what is common or usual or expected also: especial, exceptional, particular he paid especial attention to herexceptional kindness
  4. adapted to or reserved for a particular purpose a special kind of painta special medication for arthritis
  5. having a specific function or scope also: limited a special (or specific) role in the mission
  6. first and most important also: particular his special interest is musicshe gets special (or particular) satisfaction from her volunteer work

noun

  1. a special offering (usually temporary and at a reduced price) that is featured in advertising they are having a special on pork chops

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

special in real books

Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.

  • This is no accident, it is a special Providence.

    Following the Equator — Part 1 · Mark Twain · Chapter 1

  • Your excellent father, whose special concern you are, has often spoken to me of you.

    Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1

  • All had been chosen as a special favor, upon the recommendation of one or other of those in authority.

    Under Drake's Flag · G. A. (George Alfred) Henty · Chapter 1

  • Moreover the education would be less expensive than any other special course, inasmuch as she could administer it herself.

    Greville Fane · Henry James · Chapter 1

  • Special attention is | | called to the following grades, as being better suited for | | business purposes than any Pen manufactured.

    Punchinello, Volume 1, No. 08, May 21, 1870 · Various · Chapter 1

Nearby in the frequency table

1,585 works1,586 mass1,587 choose1,588 contrary 1,589 special 1,590 aloud1,591 swift1,592 loose1,593 leaned

The whole table Read a book