special

adjective

• 1better, greater, or otherwise different from what is usual:they always made a special effort at Christmas
• exceptionally good or pleasant:she’s a very special person
• (of a subject) studied in particular depth: I wanted to take the Crusades as my special subject

• 2belonging specifically to a particular person or place:we want to preserve our town’s special character
• designed or organized for a particular person, purpose, or occasion:we will return by special coaches
• used to denote education for children with particular needs, especially those with learning difficulties.

• 3 Mathematics denoting a group consisting of matrices of unit determinant.

noun

• a thing, such as a product or broadcast, that is designed or organized for a particular occasion or purpose:television’s election night specials
• a dish not on the regular menu at a restaurant but served on a particular day: customers queue for such specials as vegetable lasagne
• a person assigned to a special duty; a special constable or special correspondent: he was one of a detachment of two white policemen and two native specials
• informal a product or service offered at a temporarily reduced price: Mrs Hill was a careful shopper, choosing house brands and in-store specials