From Middle English *special, especial, especiall, from Old French especial (whence also French spécial), from Latin speciālis (from speciēs).

• (RP) IPA: /ˈspɛʃl̩/
• (America) enPR: spĕʹshəl, IPA: /ˈspɛʃ(ə)l/

special

1. Distinguished by a unique or unusual quality.

   a special episode of a television series

   her special blend of spices

   Why are you standing up in your seat? What are you, special?

2. Of particular value or interest; dear; beloved.

   Everyone is special to someone.

   his special friend of many years, Bill

3. (euphemistic) Of or related to disabilities, especially learning or intellectual disabilities.

   special education, special needs

   He goes to a special school.

   1. (by extension, pejorative, often, offensive) Stupid, lacking intelligence.

      What do you mean, you don't understand the sign? What are you, special?

4. Constituting or relating to a species.

   Synonyms: specific

   Having seven dark spots is a special property unique to Coccinella septempunctata.

5. Chief in excellence.
   • c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act IV, scene iv]:

     The king hath drawn / The special head of all the land together.

6. (military) Of or related to unconventional warfare.

   special forces, special operations

7. (law) 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.

8. (euphemistic) Containing drugs, especially marijuana.

• (antonym(s) of “distinguished by a unique or unusual quality”): common, common-or-garden, everyday, nonspecial, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, usual

• French: spécial
• German: speziell, Spezial-, ungewöhnlich, Sonder-, besondere
• Italian: speciale, specifico
• Portuguese: especial
• Russian: осо́бый
• Spanish: especial

• French: particulier
• German: speziell, Spezial-, Sonder-, bestimmt, Lieblings-
• Italian: speciale
• Portuguese: especial
• Russian: дорого́й
• Spanish: especial

• Russian: видово́й

special (plural specials)

1. A reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered.

   Synonyms: offer

   We're running a special on turkey for Thanksgiving.

2. One of a rotation of meals systematically offered for a lower price at a restaurant.

   Today's special is our tuna melt on rye.

3. (broadcasting) Unusual or exceptional episode of a series.

   Did you see the Christmas special?

4. (British, colloquial) A special constable.
5. 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.

6. Any unlicensed medicine produced or obtained for a specific individual patient.
7. (journalism) A correspondent; a journalist sent to the scene of an event to report back.
8. (journalism) A dispatch sent back by a special correspondent.
9. (theater) A light that illuminates a specific person or thing on the stage.
   • 2009, Steven Shelley, A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, page 132:

     In addition to followspots, there will be three frontlight specials on Autoyokes hung on the truss to provide frontlight specials.

   • 2009, Jennifer Bringle, Lighting, page 23:

     The first is a special—a single lighting instrument that lights a particular spot on the stage. Specials generally have no color, or a more saturated color, allowing them to stand out through other lighting onstage.

• French: solde
• German: Sonderangebot
• Portuguese: oferta
• Russian: распрода́жа
• Spanish: oferta

• German: Sondersendung

special (specials, present participle specialing; simple past and past participle specialed)

1. (nursing) To supervise a patient one-on-one.