Does anyone have a good word for describing someone as "special" in a positive sense?
Word that means special but in a good way?
one word for "the desire to feel special to someone" - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
[TOMT][word]: a word that means basically special and different in a good way
How does the adjective 'special' differ from other similar words?
Some common synonyms of special are especial, individual, particular, and specific. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.
// special ingredients
When would 'especial' be a good substitute for 'special'?
The meanings of especial and special largely overlap; however, especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.
// a matter of especial importance
When is 'particular' a more appropriate choice than 'special'?
In some situations, the words particular and special are roughly equivalent. However, particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.
// a ballet step of particular difficulty
The best words I've found are distinct, extraordinary, and remarkable. Distinct feels too neutral and doesn't necessarily show that I think they're distinct in an appreciative way; extraordinary and remarkable feel too extreme to the level that using these words feels disingenuous. I find many people in my life very special in the kindest way possible, yet it feels impossible to describe this in a way that doesn't make me sound like I'm trying to be a jerk or that I am laying their brilliance on too thick. Thanks in advance for whatever you come up with and have a great day!
Hey all, so I am trying to find a word that basically means something is special or rare, but in a good way. I am not sure there is one though because most words can be used in a good or bad way, such as "extraordinary". Let me know if there's something I'm missing, thankssss :))
Well, there's 'needy':
- (Of a person) needing emotional support; insecure.
He was desperately needy in his sexual and emotional demands.
'Neediness' is fairly close to the meaning you're asking for, in that the person who is 'needy' could need another person to express their love for them. It's a pejorative term BTW.
The concept of 'codependency' might also be relevant:
People with a predisposition to be a codependent enabler often find themselves in relationships where their primary role is that of rescuer, supporter, and confidante. These helper types are often dependent on the other person's poor functioning to satisfy their own emotional needs. Codependency often involves placing a lower priority on one's own needs, while being excessively preoccupied with the needs of others.
Again, this is a pejorative term. Codependency is the desire to feel special to someone by being needed by them, though at a cost to oneself and/or to the person being 'helped'.
Trying to find less pejorative terms, a person who is sad because they are without close friends or companions might simply be 'lonely':
Sad because one has no friends or company:
- Living as she is was miserable and lonely with no friends or loved ones to care about her.
- The new girl's supposed to be lonely and have no friends for at least a month and a half.
- She could not understand how such a great elf with so many wonderful subjects and friends could be so lonely.
The OED defines 'lonely-heart' simply as a "a sentimental name for a friendless person", but I notice that this definition hasn't been fully updated. These days, in the UK at least, 'lonely-heart' carries a very definite connotation that the person is starved of romantic company. In British English, personal advertisements are called 'lonely hearts columns'.
On the up side, being the owner of a lonely heart is better ("much better!") than being the owner of a broken heart (or so the story goes).
Someone who feels insignificant or unimportant feels that they aren't special. Such a feeling is typically accompanied by the desire to be considered special by someone. These words can therefore be used to imply the feeling you seek in general. For example, "I wish I wasn't so insignificant." can be safely taken to mean "I wish someone would think I'm significant/special."
Another related possibility is the concept of validation. A person seeking validation is looking for another person to validate their existence, i.e. to confirm that their existence isn't meaningless, pointless, or inconsequential in the validation provider's opinion. Often, someone seeking validation is even looking to be praised or appreciated.
Not unique, and different from unique in that it doesn’t just mean different but different in a positive way. Like stand-out. Thanks for any help!
How about celebrate? It works doubly with the birthday aspect.
1. To observe (a day or event) with ceremonies of respect, festivity, or rejoicing. See Synonyms at observe.
3. To extol or praise: a sonnet that celebrates love.
Source: The Free Dictionary at American Heritage
So:
Harness the power of family traditions to celebrate your child on her special day.
Informally, one can use the multi-word verb big up [for]:
big up (to/for) somebody [spoken; informal]
used when you want to praise someone
- Big up to Kelly Holmes! She ran a superb race.
[Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English] [adjusted]
Although Collins still considers big up a slang usage, the Farlex Dictionary of Idioms gives the transitive usage without adding even an 'informal' caveat:
big up
- To promote or aggrandize the importance, quality, or positive aspects of someone or something.
- The promoters have really been bigging up this new band ....