Especially: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：particularly (especially)

especially 🔊

/ɪˈspeʃəli/

adv.

It's used to single out and give more importance to one thing among others.

Especially highlighted banana among fruits illustrating emphasis

particularly 🔊

➕

/pərˈtɪkjələrli/

adv.

Used to indicate that something is more true or more important than other things of the same kind; used to emphasize something.

📁 Category：Language Evolution 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

e- (ex-) + special + -ly = particularly; emphasizes exceptionality.

💡 Mnemonic

E + special + ly = extra special.

📖 Example

I love eating fruit for breakfast, especially bananas. 🔊 I love eating fruit for breakfast, especially bananas.

🔗 Collocations

especially important – meaning 'particularly important'

especially true – meaning 'particularly true; more true than others'

especially when – used to highlight a specific condition or time

🔄 Synonyms

particularly (adv.) – used to single out one specific thing or person among others

notably (adv.) – used to emphasize a particular fact that is worth noting

above all (phrase) – used to say that something is more important than anything else

🚫 Antonyms

generally (adv.) – in most cases; not specifically

broadly (adv.) – in a general way; covering a wide range without focusing on details

universally (adv.) – by everyone; in every case without exception

🌱 Derivatives

special (adj.) – better, greater, or otherwise different from what is usual

specially (adv.) – for a particular purpose or in a particular way

specialty (n.) – a particular area of knowledge or expertise

📖 Cultural Story

From Latin 'specialis' (particular) + prefix 'ex-' (out). Evolved through Old French to Middle English. Used since 14th century to pick out one item as more important.