Videos
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 can 'specific' be used instead of 'special'?
Although the words specific and special have much in common, specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.
// children with specific nutritional needs
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!
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 ....
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 :))
I’m making a bracelet for each person of my family with a word to describe them. I am absolutely stumped on what to do for my mom. Loving, caring, teacher, any word I can come up with just feels trivial and doesn’t hold a flame to what actually describes her. What are some nouns that can be used to describe someone that have more power behind them than your average descriptive words? Others I’ve used so far are advocate, peacemaker, compassionate, resilient