51Թ

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View synonyms for

especially

[ ih-spesh-uh-lee ]

adverb

  1. Be especially watchful when you are out walking alone.

    I love spending time outdoors, especially on sunny days.

    Synonyms: , ,



especially

/ ɪˈɛʃəɪ /

adverb

  1. in particular; specifically

    for everyone's sake, especially your children's

  2. very much

    especially useful for vegans

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage Note

See special.
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of especially1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; especial + -ly
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Synonym Study

Especially, chiefly, particularly, principally refer to those cases that seem to be significant. Especially and particularly single out the most prominent case or example (often in order to particularize a general statement): Winter is especially severe on old people. Corn grows well in the Midwest, particularly in Iowa. Chiefly and principally imply that the general statement applies to a majority of the cases in question and have a somewhat comparative force: Owls fly chiefly at night. Crime occurs principally in large cities.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Their poor eyesight and slow swimming speed make river dolphins especially prone to collisions with boats and other obstacles.

From

That has not panned out, especially in the case of China, so the US is moving decisively away from this world.

From

In her memory, he and his wife have launched a foundation to help families of terminally ill children - especially those who can't afford to stop working during their child's final months.

From

It can also be helpful to anchor your bowl in a kitchen towel, especially if your whisking often tends to get especially vigorous.

From

Los Angeles needs housing and economic policies that work — especially as we recover from the January wildfires.

From

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Especially Vs. Specially

What's the difference between especially Իspecially?

Especially means particularly or exceptionally, as in That was especially helpful or This road can be dangerous, especially when it’s icy. Specially most commonly means in a special manner or for a special purpose, as in This was specially made or You were specially chosen for this project.

Perhaps most confusingly, specially is sometimes used as a synonym of especially, though especially is much more commonly used.

Both words are adverbs. Specially is the adverb form of the adjective special. This might be the best way to remember the way specially is typically used, which is to describe something being done in a special way or for a special purpose. On the other hand, the adjective especial is not commonly used. Especially can always be used interchangeably with particularly.

Here’s an example of especially and specially used correctly in a sentence.

Example: The team worked especially hard to specially make all of these decorations in time for the event.

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between especially and specially.

Quiz yourself on especially .specially!

Should especially or specially be used in the following sentence?

I had this cake _____ made for your birthday.

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