What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Desolate vs Special - What's the difference?

desolate | special |

As adjectives the difference between desolate and special

is that desolate is deserted and devoid of inhabitants while special is distinguished by a unique or unusual quality.

As a verb desolate

is to deprive of inhabitants.

As a noun special is

a reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered.

desolate

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Deserted and devoid of inhabitants.
    • a desolate''' isle; a '''desolate''' wilderness; a '''desolate house
  • * Bible, Jer. ix. 11
    • I will make Jerusalem a den of dragons, and I will make the cities of Judah desolate , without an inhabitant.
  • * Tennyson
    • And the silvery marish flowers that throng / The desolate creeks and pools among.
  • Barren and lifeless.
  • Made unfit for habitation or use; laid waste; neglected; destroyed.
    • desolate altars
  • Dismal or dreary.
  • Sad, forlorn and hopeless.
    • He was left desolate by the early death of his wife.
  • * Keble
    • voice of the poor and desolate

    Verb

    (desolat)
  • To deprive of inhabitants.
  • To devastate or lay waste somewhere.
  • To abandon or forsake something.
  • To make someone sad, forlorn and hopeless.

    • Related terms

    * desolation

    External links

    * * * ----

    special

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Distinguished by a unique or unusual quality.
    • a special episode of a television series
  • Of particular interest or value; certain; dear; beloved; favored.
    • Everyone is special to someone.
  • (euphemistic, derogatory) Retarded; mentally handicapped
    • He goes to a special school.
  • Constituting or relating to a species.
    • The seven dark spots is a special property unique to ''Coccinella septempunctata''.
  • Chief in excellence.
  • * Shakespeare
    • The king hath drawn / The special head of all the land together.

    Derived terms

    * special attack * special constable * special defense * special delivery * special education / special ed * special forces * specialisation / specialization * specialise / specialize * specialist * speciality, specialty * specially * specialness * Special Olympics * special ops

    Related terms

    * especial * especially

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered.
    • We're running a special on turkey for Thanksgiving.
  • (broadcasting) Unusual or exceptional episode of a series
  • (British, colloquial) A special constable.
  • Anything that is not according to normal practice, plan, or schedule, as an unscheduled run of transportation that is normally scheduled.
    • Thousands came to see the special that carried the President's coffin.
  • (video games) special move
  • * 1995 , "Tony Pordon", Tekken Review [PSX]'' (on newsgroup ''rec.games.video.misc )
    • Using the right moves, you can sometimes chain 2 specials in a row to form multiple hit combos.

    Statistics

    *

    Anagrams

    * English aphaeretic forms 1000 English basic words ----