Word
specially
Phoneticsspe·cial·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈspɛʃəɫi/
UK/spˈɛʃəlˌi/
Adverb of manner
Definitions
01for a specific purpose
B1 · Intermediate
adv. for a particular purpose, person, or reason.
adv. for a specific purpose, person, or occasion; often used to describe something custom-made or uniquely arranged.
“This cake was made specially for your birthday party.”
“The software was specially designed to meet the needs of small businesses that cannot afford expensive enterprise solutions.”
Usage
often modifies a past participle like 'designed', 'made', or 'chosen'.
Pitfall
I like fruit, specially apples.
I like fruit, especially apples.
Use 'especially' to mean 'particularly' or 'above all'. Use 'specially' for a specific purpose, like 'a cake made specially for you'.
Synonyms
02particularly
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
adv. in a way that is more than usual or very much.
adv. used to mean 'particularly' or 'to a great degree'; while common in speech, this is often considered less formal than 'especially'.
“It is not specially cold today, but you should still wear a coat.”
“The manager was not specially impressed by the candidate's portfolio, noting a lack of original concepts despite the technical proficiency shown.”
Usage
frequently used interchangeably with 'especially' in casual spoken English.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “specially” in context.
Confusables
Especially means 'particularly' or 'above all', while specially means 'for a specific purpose'.
RememberEspecially = Extra. Specially = Specific.
Etymology
From Middle English specialli, specially, equivalent to special + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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