Special | Mean of special in English Dictionary

/ˈspɛʃəl/

• different from what is normal or usual
1. This is a special case and I want you to handle it personally.
2. Only under special circumstances will you be allowed to retake the test.
3. Is there any special [=particular] reason why you're not coming?
• unusual in a good way
1. Your many years of service put you in a special category.
2. Why should you receive any special treatment?
3. It takes a special quality to do what he did.
4. This is a very special occasion.
5. Are you doing anything special over the holidays?
6. The movie was nothing special. [=was not particularly good]
7. We have a special guest tonight—the mayor.
• especially important or loved
1. a special friend
2. No one is more special to me than my wife.
3. He always made her feel special.
4. He holds a special place in her heart.

• more than is usual
1. Pay special attention to the last paragraph.
2. Take special care on the way down the stairs.
3. They showed special concern for the children.
4. The report places special emphasis on new technology.
• additional or extra
1. a special edition of a newspaper
2. He won't tell us the special ingredient in his salad dressing.
3. This camera has a special feature that lets you take panoramic views.
• relating to or intended for a particular purpose
1. a special diet
2. He was on special assignment for the government.
3. special election coverage
4. I was given special orders not to let you in.
5. To clean the oven, I had to wear special gloves. [=a particular kind of glove]
6. Do you have any special instructions for the babysitter?
7. a special correspondent/prosecutor
• Noun
• a television or radio program that is not part of a regular series
1. a one-hour special on whales
2. an after-school special
• a meal that is not on a restaurant's usual menu
1. Today's lunch special is chili.
2. The specials are on the board.
• selling at a price that is lower than usual
1. Pork chops are on special [=(Brit) on special offer] this week.