- in particular; specifically: for everyone's sake, especially your children's
- very much: especially useful for vegans
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
es•pe•cial•ly /ɪˈspɛʃəli/USA pronunciation
adv.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Pronounsto an exceptional degree;
particularly;
markedly: Be especially watchful. - in particular;
above all:It is hot here, especially in July. - for a particular purpose;
specifically: These clothes were designed especially for you.
es•pe•cial•ly
(i spesh′ə lē),USA pronunciation adv.
- Pronounsparticularly;
exceptionally;
markedly:Be especially watchful.
- 1350–1400; Middle English; see especial, -ly
- signally, notably; mainly. 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 Middle West, 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.
- See special.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
especially /ɪˈspɛʃəlɪ/ adv
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'especially' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
above
- ceremonious
- chief
- chiefly
- Christian name
- Cistercian
- cork
- dunce
- erotic
- esp
- fun
- Java
- Kumbh Mela
- ma'am
- macula lutea
- nigger
- notably
- orchard
- particular
- peach
- potion
- sanctum sanctorum
- signally
- transsexual
- A, a
- Achilles heel
- acknowledge
- activist
- affect
- age
- agreement
- ain't
- Alexander technique
- am
- ambiguous
- ambitious
- ambrosia
- ambrosial
- Americanism
- amount
- amusia
- appeal
- appendix
- armor-piercing
- atheist
- audiophile
- awhile
- baby
- Bach trumpet
- bankrupt worm
