Origin: Latin suffix -al
Special has 13 different meanings across 2 categories:
a special offering (usually temporary and at a reduced price) that is featured in advertising
"they are having a special on pork chops"
a dish or meal given prominence in e.g. a restaurant
"The chef recommended trying their special, which is a slow-cooked beef brisket served with house-made dumplings."
a television production that features a particular person or work or topic
"the last of a series of BBC specials on Iran is being shown tonight"
A reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered.
"The store is offering a special on all winter coats, so I decided to buy my new jacket today before the sale ends next week."
In plain English: A special is a unique person or thing that stands out from everyone else because of their specific qualities.
"The team celebrated their special victory with a big party."
To supervise a patient one-on-one.
"The nurse assigned me to special the new admission so I could monitor his vital signs closely while he waited for the doctor."
In plain English: To special means to give something extra attention or treatment because it is important or unique.
"The chef will special this dish for the anniversary dinner."
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
"the particular demands of the job"
"has a particular preference for Chinese art"
"a peculiar bond of sympathy between them"
"an expression peculiar to Canadians"
"rights peculiar to the rich"
"the special features of a computer"
"my own special chair"
for a special service or occasion
"a special correspondent"
"a special adviser to the committee"
"had to get special permission for the event"
surpassing what is common or usual or expected
"he paid especial attention to her"
"exceptional kindness"
"a matter of particular and unusual importance"
"a special occasion"
"a special reason to confide in her"
"what's so special about the year 2000?"
adapted to or reserved for a particular purpose
"a special kind of paint"
"a special medication for arthritis"
first and most important
"his special interest is music"
"she gets special (or particular) satisfaction from her volunteer work"
Distinguished by a unique or unusual quality.
"The rare blue opal caught everyone's attention because its color was truly special, glowing like a tiny storm cloud in her hand."
In plain English: Special means different from what is usual or expected.
"She baked a special cake for her birthday dinner."
Usage: Use special to describe something that stands out because it possesses unique qualities, distinct from ordinary items of the same type. Avoid using it as an intensifier before adjectives like "good," where words such as "particularly" are more appropriate.
The word "special" entered Middle English from the Old French especial, which itself came from the Latin speciālis. This term replaced an earlier native Old English word, synderlīċ, to describe something distinct or particular.