26984 words

special

15 definitions • 32 examples
1
not ordinary or usual:

Examples:

The car has a number of special safety features.
Is there anything special that you'd like to do today?
Passengers should tell the airline in advance if they have any special dietary needs.
I don't expect special treatment - I just want to be treated fairly.
Full details of the election results will be published in a special edition of tomorrow's newspaper.
I have a suit for special occasions.
There's a special offer on peaches (UK also peaches are on special offer) (= they are being sold at a reduced price) this week.
2
especially great or important, or having a quality that most similar things or people do not have:

Examples:

Could I ask you a special favour?
I'm cooking something special for her birthday.
3
having a particular purpose:

Examples:

Some of the children have special educational needs.
You need special tyres on your car for snow.
She works as a special adviser to the president.
4
a television programme that is made for a particular reason or occasion and is not part of a series:

Examples:

a three-hour election night special
5
a dish that is available in a restaurant on a particular day that is not usually available:

Examples:

Today's specials are written on the board.
6
a product that is being sold at a reduced price for a short period:

Examples:

Today's specials include T-shirts for only $2.99.
7
in the UK, a person who is not a paid member of the police force but who wears a police uniform and is trained to act as a police officer in certain situations:

Examples:

Police officers are stressing the need for many more specials.
8
not ordinary or usual:

Examples:

a special occasion
The car has a number of special safety features.
Is there anything special you’d like to do today?
9
Special can also mean unusually great or important:

Examples:

You’re very special to me.
10
having a particular purpose:

Examples:

Kevin goes to a special school for the blind.
She’s a special correspondent for National Public Radio.
11
something that is not usually available:

Examples:

There’s a two-hour special (= a television program that is not regularly shown) on the Olympics tonight.
Our restaurant’s specials today are pasta primavera, baked chicken with rice, and shrimp scampi (= these foods are not always sold).
12
A special is also the sale of goods at a reduced price:

Examples:

The store had a special on lawn furniture this week.
13
not ordinary or usual:

Examples:

Hongkong has a special relationship with the world's financial markets.
14
having a particular purpose:

Examples:

15
a product that is being sold at a reduced price for a short period:

Examples:

a special on sth This week we have a special on children's toys.

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