Extra vs Special - What's the Difference?

Extra

Special

Definitions

Definition as Noun
  • an additional edition of a newspaper (usually to report a crisis)
  • something additional of the same kind
  • a minor actor in crowd scenes
Definition as Noun
  • a special offering (usually temporary and at a reduced price) that is featured in advertising
  • a dish or meal given prominence in e.g. a restaurant
  • a television production that features a particular person or work or topic
Definition as Adjective
  • further or added
  • more than is needed, desired, or required
  • added to a regular schedule
Definition as Adjective
  • for a special service or occasion
  • adapted to or reserved for a particular purpose
  • surpassing what is common or usual or expected
  • added to a regular schedule
  • having a specific function or scope
  • unique or specific to a person or thing or category
  • first and most important
Definition as Adverb
  • unusually or exceptionally
Definition as Adverb

Examples

  • "called for additional troops"; "need extra help"; "an extra pair of shoes"
  • "trying to lose excess weight"; "found some extra change lying on the dresser"; "yet another book on heraldry might be thought redundant"; "skills made redundant by technological advance"; "sleeping in the spare room"; "supernumerary ornamentation"; "it was supererogatory of her to gloat"; "delete superfluous (or unnecessary) words"; "extra ribs as well as other supernumerary internal parts"; "surplus cheese distributed to the needy"
  • "a special holiday flight"; "put on special buses for the big game"
  • "an extra fast car"
  • "he always carried extras in case of an emergency"
  • "a special correspondent"; "a special adviser to the committee"; "had to get special permission for the event"
  • "a special kind of paint"; "a special medication for arthritis"
  • "he paid especial attention to her"; "exceptional kindness"; "a matter of particular and unusual importance"; "a special occasion"; "a special reason to confide in her"; "what's so special about the year 2000?"
  • "a special holiday flight"; "put on special buses for the big game"
  • "a special (or specific) role in the mission"
  • "the particular demands of the job"; "has a particular preference for Chinese art"; "a peculiar bond of sympathy between them"; "an expression peculiar to Canadians"; "rights peculiar to the rich"; "the special features of a computer"; "my own special chair"
  • "his special interest is music"; "she gets special (or particular) satisfaction from her volunteer work"
  • "they are having a special on pork chops"
  • "the last of a series of BBC specials on Iran is being shown tonight"

Parts of Speech

Adjective, Adverb, Noun
Adjective, Noun