Especially vs Specially | Difference & Meaning
The adverbs especially and specially are both synonyms for “particularly.” In formal writing, we typically use “especially” to mean “above all” and “exceptionally,” but “specially” with “designed,” “built,” “made,” etc. to describe the specific purpose of something.
- Use especially to mean “above all” or “very much so” (before a preposition or subordinating conjunction) to emphasize that something applies more to a certain case or scenario (e.g., “It was important, especially for him,” “It is a highly flammable material, especially when dry”).
- Use especially to mean “very” or “exceptionally” (e.g., “An especially good solution,” “It is especially flammable when dry”).
- Use specially with past participles and the preposition “for” to describe the specific purpose of something (e.g. “a specially made machine,” “a watch specially designed for divers”).
| Meaning | Correct use of especially or specially |
|---|---|
| Above all | Learning a new language is difficult, especially for adults. |
| It is an expensive vacation destination, especially at that time of year. | |
| Exceptionally | We think that it is an especially useful tool for students. |
| The condition of the roads can be especially problematic in winter. | |
| Specifically (purpose) | Finding enough specially trained personnel was extremely difficult. |
| The stadium was specially built for the Olympics. |
Especially definition
The adverb especially can mean “particularly” or “mainly” as well as “exceptionally” or “very.” It often combines with the adjectives “useful,” “helpful,” and “important.”
He liked to go there to write, especially in the fall.
Her backhand is especially good.
I didn’t find that book especially useful.
Specially meaning
Specially means “specifically.” It often combines the verbs “design,” “train,” and “build,” particularly in their past participle forms as part of compound adjectives.
The whole team has been specially trained to operate the machinery.
Frequently asked questions about especially vs specially
- Is it especial or special?
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The adjectives special and especial are synonyms. However, “especial” is used much less frequently than “special,” has a formal effect in modern English, and can only be used before a noun (i.e., you can’t use it as a predicate adjective). So, you can say “a special treat” and “an especial treat,” but not “the treat was very especial.”
On a related note, if you’re having difficulty deciding whether especially or specially is the word you need, we typically use “specially” with “made,” “built,” etc. to mean “specifically” (e.g., “I had it specially made”).
Have you tried QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker? It can pick up errors such as “especial” used predicatively rather than attributively.
- What is a synonym for special?
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Synonyms for the adjective special include:
- Specific
- Significant
- Notable
- Particular
- Exceptional
- Custom
On a related note, it can sometimes be tricky deciding if especially or specially is the right word. We typically use “specially” with “designed,” “built,” etc. to mean “specifically” (e.g., “It is specially designed for use in cold weather”).
Have you tried QuillBot’s free Paraphraser? You can use it to find synonyms for “special” in your specific context.
