Especially Meaning
Especially Definition & Usage
Used to indicate that something is more important, notable, or relevant than other things in the same category or group.
Examples
- "I love all kinds of music, but I especially enjoy jazz."
- "The teacher spoke to the students, especially those who had been struggling."
- "She is especially good at painting landscapes."
- "This recipe works well with many fruits, especially apples and peaches."
- "The new phone is great, but its camera quality is especially impressive."
Used to draw attention to something as being notably better or more significant than other possibilities.
Examples
- "She is especially talented when it comes to public speaking."
- "The restaurant is known for its desserts, especially the chocolate cake."
- "I find this problem especially challenging."
- "The conference was great, especially the keynote speech."
- "His performance was especially impressive under such pressure."
Cultural Context
The word 'especially' has been used in English since the 14th century, derived from the Old French word 'especial' (meaning special). It is frequently used in both casual and formal contexts to highlight particular aspects or objects that are deemed more important or notable within a group.
The Big Presentation
Story
The Big Presentation
Catherine had always been a talented writer, but when it came to presentations, she had a bit of a fear of speaking in front of large groups. Her colleagues at the design firm knew this, but they had also seen how creative and capable she was in other aspects of her job. So when the company decided to host a presentation on the latest projects, everyone expected Catherine to contribute, though nobody was certain how she'd handle the spotlight. As she prepared her slides in the back of the room, she thought about the things she could talk about. There were many great features of the project, but there was one particular detail that stood out. The design team had incorporated a new technology that was revolutionary for their industry, and Catherine was especially excited to explain how it would change the way they approached design. She knew this was the part everyone would be most interested in. As the presentation began, Catherine nervously made her way to the front. The room was filled with colleagues, some of whom were much more experienced than her in public speaking. She cleared her throat and began by introducing the basic idea behind their latest design project. But as soon as she began to talk about the innovative technology they were using, she felt a surge of confidence. 'What makes this project especially exciting,' Catherine began, 'is the integration of AI into the design process. This technology allows us to personalize the designs in a way that wasn't possible before.' She saw her audience’s eyes light up. She had their attention now. During the Q&A session, one of her colleagues asked a very technical question about how the AI worked. Catherine smiled, knowing she had prepared for this. She explained the technology in detail, making sure to highlight its strengths. 'The AI system is especially useful in predicting user preferences,' she explained, 'which helps us create designs that are much more likely to succeed in the market.' The presentation ended with applause, and Catherine felt a rush of relief. It had gone better than she expected. Her supervisor came up to her afterwards, congratulating her on an excellent presentation. 'You did especially well,' he said, 'especially considering how nervous you were.' Catherine smiled, feeling proud of herself. The experience was a reminder of how, sometimes, things that seem difficult can become much easier when you focus on the parts you're passionate about. And in the case of her presentation, it was especially clear that embracing the exciting aspects of the project had made all the difference.