The right special synonym depends on why something is special: exceptional and remarkable praise quality, precious and cherished show love, unique signals that nothing else matches it, and particular means set aside for one purpose. Mixing these up can make a kind note sound like a product label.
Special is warm but vague, and it shows up on cards, menus and job ads alike. Another word for special helps your reader feel the exact reason. Six senses follow, then a ladder of strength, sample rewrites and a note on specially versus especially. Browse the describing words hub for more adjectives.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
exceptional, unique, remarkable, preciousPart of speech
Adjective (also a noun: a lunch special)Strongest
extraordinary, exceptionalWarmest
precious, cherished, dearMost formal
singular, designated, specializedAntonyms
ordinary, normal, usual, everydayWatch out
Specially means for a purpose. Especially means above all. They are not interchangeable.
Six senses of special at a glance
| Sense | Try | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Better than usual | exceptional, remarkable, memorable | It was a memorable evening. |
| Dear to you | precious, cherished, treasured | A treasured photo of her mother. |
| One of a kind | unique, distinctive, rare | The bird has a distinctive call. |
| For one purpose | specific, specialized, dedicated | You need a specialized tool. |
| More than usual | extra, additional, heightened | Take extra care on the stairs. |
| Noun: a deal | offer, deal, promotion | Today's lunch offer is soup. |
Choosing a special synonym by strength
Strength rises as you read the chips from left to right. Different just means not the usual, and it can even sound doubtful. Notable means worth mentioning. Memorable means people will keep thinking about it. Remarkable means it makes people comment. Extraordinary is the top step, for things far beyond normal.
Pick the step that is honest. Calling every birthday extraordinary wears the word out, while a memorable birthday sounds sincere.
Plain lines made sharper
- You are a special friend becomes you are a dear friend or you are a close friend.
- This ring is special to me becomes this ring is precious to me.
- The chef made a special sauce becomes the chef made a signature sauce.
- The job needs special skills becomes the job needs specialized skills.
- Pay special attention to the dates becomes pay particular attention to the dates.
- The opening of the bridge was special for our town becomes the bridge opening was momentous for our town.
A birthday card: "You are so special to me." Sweet, but every card says it. "You are the person I call first with good news" shows why. If you want a single word, cherished or treasured carries more warmth than special.
Specially or especially
These two trip up even confident writers. Specially means for a particular purpose: a cake made specially for you. Especially means above all or very: I love fruit, especially mangoes. The especially synonyms page lists alternatives such as particularly and notably.
A quick check: if you can swap in just for or for that purpose, use specially. If you can swap in in particular, use especially.
When not to swap special
Some set phrases keep the word because a synonym would change or blur the meaning. Special needs and special education are established terms in schools, and replacing them with unique or exceptional would confuse readers. Special offer, special effects and special forces are fixed too.
Unique also needs care. It names the only one in existence, so very unique is usually avoided by careful editors. Use rare or unusual if you mean uncommon.
Opposites of special
Normal, ordinary and usual are the plain antonyms. Everyday and routine suit habits and events. Unremarkable is polite but faintly critical, and standard fits products and services.
- It was just an ordinary Tuesday.
- The hotel room was clean but unremarkable.
- Delivery takes the standard five days.
Frequently asked questions
Which word is stronger than special?
Extraordinary and exceptional are stronger. Both say that something goes far beyond the normal, so save them for moments that earn the praise.
How can I tell someone they are special without that word?
Name the reason: you always make me laugh, you notice things nobody else does. If you need one word, precious, cherished or one of a kind all sound warm.
Does unique work as a swap for special?
Only if nothing else like it exists. When an item is excellent yet has equals, exceptional or remarkable is the safer pick.
What is the opposite of special?
Ordinary, normal and usual are the main antonyms. Everyday and routine work for events and habits.
What does special mean as a noun?
It usually means a dish or product offered at a set price for a short time, as in the soup special. It can also mean a one-time broadcast. Swap with deal, offer or promotion for the first sense.
Which special synonym fits a resume?
Specialized works for skills, and exceptional works for results when you can back it up with numbers. Avoid special on its own, since it says little about what you did.