special

/ˈspɛʃ.əl/

adjective 9
noun 12
verb 1
forms 9
phrases 5

adjective9

•
unusual, with a quality that most others do not have
- her special blend of spices
•
Of particular value or interest; dear; beloved.
- Everyone is special to someone.
•
(euphemistic) Of or related to disabilities, especially learning or intellectual disabilities.
- special education, special needs
- He goes to a special school.
•
Appointed specifically to examine a single event or issue.
- For the few times the U.S. Supreme Court has to actually try a case, they will appoint a special master to do so.
- After the Watergate break in, a special prosecutor was appointed.
•
Of or related to unconventional warfare.
- special forces, special operations
•
(offensive, euphemistic) Stupid, lacking intelligence.
- What do you mean, you don't understand the sign? What are you, special?
•
(informal, euphemistic) Of, being, or pertaining to sexual intercourse or the genitals.
- The parents told the kids not to bother them during special time.
- The girl said the man had tried to touch her special place.
(euphemistic) Infused with a drug, especially marijuana; being an edible.
•
Constituting or relating to a species.
- Having seven dark spots is a special property unique to Coccinella septempunctata.

noun12

•
A meal offered only at a certain time by a restaurant, not as a standing fixture of the menu; often, one of a rotation of meals systematically offered for a lower price; also often a dish at a nondiscounted price that is seasonal or otherwise exciting or unusual.
- Today's dinner special is wild salmon, which we don't normally get a chance to offer.
- The Tuesday lunch special is our tuna melt on rye.
•
Unusual or exceptional episode of a series.
- Did you see the Christmas special?
•
Anything that is not according to normal practice, plan, or schedule, as an unscheduled run of transportation that is normally scheduled.
- Thousands came to see the special that carried the President's coffin.
•
A reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered; the thing thus sold.
- We're running a special on turkey for Thanksgiving.
- I didn't have much money, so I bought the special.
A journalist sent to the scene of an event to report back.
•
(UK, informal) A special constable.
- And you can't trust a "Special" like the old-time copper when you can't find your way home. — 1919
•
A light that illuminates a specific person or thing on the stage.
- In addition to followspots, there will be three frontlight specials on Autoyokes hung on the truss to provide frontlight specials. — 2009
A dispatch sent back by a special correspondent.
Any unlicensed medicine produced or obtained for a specific individual patient.
•
A racehorse predicted to win; a sure thing.
- "How's your horse going to go Fatty?" My replies included, "It's a special." "Get on. It can't be beaten." — 1995
An award, typically a free game, that is made available to the player upon reaching or completing a major objective in a pinball game.
One of certain mixed-breed dogs.

verb1

•
To supervise a patient one-on-one.
- We have not sent our pupils out on private duty except a very few times, but they have an unusual amount of specialing to do inside. — 1905

forms

specialed · specialled · specialing · specialling · specials · more special · specialer · most special · specialest

Phrases with special