specialadj/ˈspɛʃ.əl/

• 1

  Distinguished by a unique, particular, or unusual quality.

  • a special episode of a television series
  • her special blend of spices
• 2

  Of particular value or interest; dear; beloved.

  • Everyone is special to someone.
  • his special friend of many years, Bill
• 3

  governmentmilitarypoliticsOf or related to unconventional warfare.

  • special forces, special operations
• 4

  lawAppointed 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.
• 5

  Constituting or relating to a species.

  • Having seven dark spots is a special property unique to Coccinella septempunctata.
• 6

  Of or related to disabilities, especially learning or intellectual disabilities.

  • special education, special needs
  • He goes to a special school.
• 7

  offensivederogatoryOf or related to disabilities, especially learning or intellectual disabilities.

  • What do you mean, you don't understand the sign? What are you, special?
• 8

  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.

specialnoun/ˈspɛʃ.əl/

• 1

  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.
• 2

  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.
• 3

  broadcastingmediaUnusual or exceptional episode of a series.

  • Did you see the Christmas special?
• 4

  A special constable.

  • And you can't trust a "Special" like the old-time copper when you can't find your way home.
• 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

  An award, typically a free game, that is made available to the player upon reaching or completing a major objective in a pinball game.

• 8

  journalismmediaA journalist sent to the scene of an event to report back.

specialverb/ˈspɛʃ.əl/

• 1

  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.
  • Participant three described their personal interest in mental health care: “I have an interest in mental health but I have found that other staff on the surgical ward who have been there for a while… often say I hate specialling these patients…”