especial
gb/ɪspˈɛʃəl/ us/ɪspˈɛʃəl/
C1
English
~ 26400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
more than usually important
More important or more serious than other things; needing extra attention.
Usage pattern:
[something] is of especial [importance/interest/concern]
Common mistake:
Learners often use *especial* in everyday speech the same way as *special*. In modern English, *special* or *especially* are much more common in speech, while *especial* is mainly used in formal writing and in fixed phrases like "of especial importance" or "of especial concern." Learners may also confuse the adjective *especial* with the adverb *especially*; remember that *especial* comes before a noun ("of especial importance"), while *especially* modifies adjectives, verbs, or clauses ("This is especially important").
Synonyms
special (More common and general; can be formal or informal, while "especial" is mainly formal written style.)
|
particular (Very close in meaning; slightly more neutral and far more frequent in everyday English.)
|
especially important (Two-word phrase that directly matches the meaning in most cases, common in speech and writing.)
Antonyms
ordinary (Describes something not special or important, the opposite of getting particular attention.)
|
general (Suggests something is not singled out as more important than the rest.)
Collocations
of especial importance
|of especial interest
|of especial concern
|of especial value
|of especial significance
|with especial care
Themes
communication
|evaluation
|academia
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This point is of especial importance for international students.
- Data security is of especial concern to our clients.
- The issue is of especial significance in developing countries.
- Your safety is of especial interest to the organizers.
- The judge treated the case with especial care because of the child involved.
Learner examples
- Your health is of especial importance.
- This rule is of especial interest to new drivers.
- The problem is of especial concern in big cities.
- That question is of especial value for the test.
- The teacher looked at my work with especial care.
adjective
literary
C2
property
2
particular to one person or thing
Made or done mainly for one person, thing, or purpose, not for others; very particular.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s especial [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use *especial* here in everyday conversation, but in modern English this sense sounds literary or old-fashioned. In most cases, *special*, *particular*, or *specific* are better choices (e.g., "my special thanks," "her particular interest").
Synonyms
particular (Most direct modern substitute; less literary and far more common in all styles.)
|
specific (Stresses being clearly defined or limited to one case; more common in everyday and technical use.)
Antonyms
general (Suggests something is not reserved for a single person, thing, or purpose.)
|
common (Implies shared or usual, rather than belonging to someone or something in particular.)
Collocations
my especial thanks
|his especial pride
|her especial pleasure
|for the especial benefit of
|his especial responsibility
Themes
description
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I would like to express my especial thanks to the volunteers.
- Teaching children with disabilities was her especial passion.
- He took an especial pride in his students' success.
- This room was prepared for the guests' especial comfort.
- The festival is held for the especial benefit of local artists.
Learner examples
- I give my especial thanks to my parents.
- Music is his especial love.
- This seat is kept for her especial use.
- The party was for the child's especial joy.
- Helping the poor is their especial goal.
Grammar
Dictionary form
especial
IPA
GB/ɪspˈɛʃəl/
US/ɪspˈɛʃəl/
Syllables & stress
es - pe - cial (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pe)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: especial
Word family
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unspecialized
adjective
Advanced or less common
specialization
noun B2
Expressions
for the especial benefit of
1/fɚ ðə ɪspˈɛʃəl bˈɛnəfɪt əv/
fixed phrase
literary
mainly to help someone
Done mainly to help or please a particular person or group, not everyone.
Examples
- The guide prepared extra notes for the especial benefit of first-time visitors.
- The concert was organized for the especial benefit of local charities.
in especial
1/ˈɪn ɪspˈɛʃəl/
fixed phrase
archaic
especially; particularly (old-fashioned)
An old-fashioned way to say "especially" or "in particular."
Examples
- He thanked the committee, and in especial its chair, for their support.
- The law will affect young people in especial.
of especial concern
1/əv ɪspˈɛʃəl kənsˈɚn/
fixed phrase
formal
particularly worrying or important
More worrying or more important to think about than other things.
Examples
- Rising housing costs are of especial concern to young families.
- The safety of children is of especial concern to the community.
of especial importance
1/əv ɪspˈɛʃəl ɪmpˈɔɹtəns/
fixed phrase
formal
particularly important
More important than other things in this situation; very important.
Examples
- Clear communication is of especial importance in emergency situations.
- This question is of especial importance for the final exam.
of especial interest
1/əv ɪspˈɛʃəl ˈɪntɚˌɛst/
fixed phrase
formal
particularly interesting or relevant
More interesting or more important to someone than other things.
Examples
- The results are of especial interest to medical researchers.
- This topic is of especial interest to people who work in education.
with especial care
1/wˈɪθ ɪspˈɛʃəl kˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
formal
very carefully
In a way that is more careful than usual; with a lot of care and attention.
Examples
- Fragile items should be handled with especial care.
- The doctor examined the injured leg with especial care.