How to pronounce especial
Say it like uh-SPESH-ul. Especial has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPESH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce especial. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- SPESH
- ul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Especial pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SPESHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of especial
American and British speakers say especial in essentially the same way: /əˈspɛʃəl/ in the US and /əˈspɛʃəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-SPESH-ul.
What does especial mean?
- Exceptional in importance or significance; special.“Pay especial attention to chapter five.”
- Particular.“acting with no especial goal”
Where does especial come from?
From Middle English especial, via Old French especial, from Latin specialis, from species (“appearance, form, beauty”), from specere (“to look”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying especial
How do you pronounce especial?
Say uh-SPESH-ul. The American pronunciation is /əˈspɛʃəl/. In British English it is /əˈspɛʃəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in especial?
Especial has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPESH). Broken into parts: uh · SPESH · ul.
Do Americans and Brits say especial the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈspɛʃəl/ and the British form is /əˈspɛʃəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.