{
    "term": "special",
    "partOfSpeech": "adjective",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a1",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "not ordinary or usual; different from what is normal",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The school will only allow this in **special circumstances**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "An application has been filed for **special leave** to appeal in the High Court."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Some of the officials have special privileges."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There is **something special** about this place."
                },
                {
                    "text": "This type of wood needs special treatment."
                },
                {
                    "text": "In special circumstances candidates without these qualifications may be considered."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Journalists were given no special privileges."
                }
            ],
            "synonyms": "exceptional"
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "more important than others; deserving or getting more attention than usual",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "What are your **special interests**?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Our **special guest** on next week’s show will be…"
                },
                {
                    "text": "a **special occasion**"
                },
                {
                    "text": "a **special** 20th anniversary **edition** of the movie"
                },
                {
                    "text": "It's a film that holds a **special place** in my heart."
                },
                {
                    "text": "What **makes** him **special** as a director is his obvious intelligence."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She makes me **feel special**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She's a very special friend."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Don't lose it—it's special."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He wanted someone special in his life."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The oil industry was treated as a special case."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "organized or intended for a particular purpose",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "British **special forces** were employed on stealth operations."
                },
                {
                    "text": "a **special event/report/team**"
                },
                {
                    "text": "There are almost no **special features** on this DVD."
                },
                {
                    "text": "These teachers need special training."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Dr Pearce is the special adviser on environmental issues."
                },
                {
                    "text": "a United Nations special envoy"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The merger was approved at a special meeting of shareholders."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "used by or intended for one particular person or group of people",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She has a special way of smiling."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He enlivens his lectures with his **own special** brand of humour."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He sent a special message to the men."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He was usually to be found in the cafe at his own special table by the window."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It's the author's special way of paying homage to an earlier poet."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The President ended with a special message for the people of Texas."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The directors have their own special pension fund."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The choreographer created a special style of dance for each character."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The speaker paid special tribute to the founder of the organization."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The director received a special ovation from the actors."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "better or more than usual",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "As an only child she got **special attention**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "**Special thanks** are due to the many volunteers who helped organize fundraising events."
                },
                {
                    "text": "People who grow things have a **special relationship** with the land."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Please take special care of it."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Police advised residents to take special precautions because of the increase in burglaries."
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈspeʃl/",
                "audio": "sp/special/special__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈspeʃl/",
                "audio": "sp/special/special__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Middle English: shortening of Old French especial ‘especial’ or Latin specialis, from species ‘appearance’, from specere ‘to look’."
}