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Outstanding vs Special - What's the difference?

outstanding | special |

As adjectives the difference between outstanding and special

is that outstanding is prominent or noticeable; standing out from others while special is special.

outstanding

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • prominent or noticeable; standing out from others
  • exceptionally good; distinguished from others by its superiority
  • *
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=October 29 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Chelsea 3 - 5 Arsenal , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=The Gunners captain demonstrated his importance to the team by taking his tally to an outstanding 28 goals in 27 Premier League games as Chelsea slumped again after their shock defeat at QPR last week.}}
  • projecting outwards
  • *
  • unresolved; not settled or finished
  • owed as a debt
  • *
  • Derived terms

    * outstandingly

    Anagrams

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    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

    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

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