especially

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word especially. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word especially, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say especially in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word especially you have here. The definition of the word especially will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofespecially, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From especial +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ɪˈspɛʃ.(ə).li/, /əˈspɛʃ.(ə).li/, /ɛsˈpɛʃ.(ə).li/
    • Audio (US):(file)
  • (nonstandard, proscribed) IPA(key): /ɛkˈspɛʃ.(ə).li/

Adverb

especially (comparative more especially, superlative most especially)

  1. (manner) In a special manner; specially.
    He got up early especially.
    • 1944 July and August, Railway Magazine, page 233, photo caption:
      L.N.E.R. class "Y6" 3 ft. 1 in. 0-4-0 steam tram locomotive No. 7133
      This locomotive, constructed at the Stratford works of the former Great Eastern Railway in 1897, was one of six which were built between 1883 and 1897 especially to work the Wisbech and Upwell Tramway.
  2. (focus) Particularly; to a greater extent than is normal.
    • 1992, Rudolf M Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, Chicago, Ill.: Field Museum of Natural History, →ISBN, page viii:
      There is now such an immense "microliterature" on hepatics that, beyond a certain point I have given up trying to integrate (and evaluate) every minor paper published—especially narrowly floristic papers.
  3. (focus) Used to place greater emphasis upon someone or something.
    Invite them all, especially Molly.
    • 1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
      Captain Edward Carlisle […] felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze, […]; he could not tell what this prisoner might do. He cursed the fate which had assigned such a duty, cursed especially that fate which forced a gallant soldier to meet so superb a woman as this under handicap so hard.
    • 1992, Rudolf M Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, Chicago, Ill.: Field Museum of Natural History, →ISBN, page viii:
      There is now such an immense "microliterature" on hepatics that, beyond a certain point I have given up trying to integrate (and evaluate) every minor paper published—especially narrowly floristic papers.

Synonyms

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked

See also

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia