French word

spécial

Pronunciation

IPA/spesjal/

Meaning

  • adjectivespecial

Example

Ce soir, j'ai préparé un dîner spécial.

Tonight, I prepared a special dinner.

Illustration for spécial (special)

More examples

J'ai vu une offre spéciale en ligne.

I saw a special offer online.

Core concept

A person, thing, or occasion marked out from the ordinary by a distinct quality or purpose.

Common phrases

  • offre spéciale

    special offer

  • menu spécial

    special menu

  • occasion spéciale

    special occasion

Similar words

particulier: Specific to a particular object or situation.
unique: Having no equal or counterpart.
remarquable: Noteworthy for being especially impressive.
exceptionnel: Rare and far beyond what is ordinary.

Definition in French

Qui indique une exception ou une qualité particulière par rapport au commun.

Word origin

French spécial comes through Old French from Latin specialis, meaning particular or individual, and develops the sense of something set apart from what is usual.

Usage tips

  • After an indefinite pronoun, French uses de before the adjective, as in quelque chose de spécial rather than quelque chose spécial.

Other meanings

  • unusualadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word