specialness

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "specialness" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun used to describe a feeling or quality of being special or unique. Example sentence: The specialness of the moment was magical and something I will never forget.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite some recent strains and the prevailing (mainly British) cynicism about the specialness of the "special relationship", it remains in pretty good shape.

The Economist

Semantic twist theory locates metaphor's specialness in a special kind of on-the-fly language learning.

SEP

The narcissist defends against feelings of catastrophic failure by resorting to a fantasy of specialness, an illusion of mastery and control.

The Guardian

Beneath all this is the peculiar British combination of bragging and bewilderment, an air of expectations great but unmet and of unrealised specialness.

The Economist

He has made a start by letting bottlers reduce their stocks, even though that will hurt Coca-Cola's short-term earnings.The ring-pull of truthBut for all the changes he is making, Mr Daft has yet to tackle Coca-Cola's central myth: that the "specialness" of the Coke brand guarantees growth.

The Economist

Once-proud medical practitioners found themselves turned into wage slaves.The upshot was to deprive the professions not only of their guild status but also of their "specialness".

The Economist

That's when I started to be convinced of his specialness as a performer.

Independent

"The specialness of the day doesn't appear to interrupt the relentless drumbeat of violence," Mayor Mitch Landrieu said outside a hospital where victims were being treated.

Independent

More and more the audience will film me, and because there is a screen in front of their faces, they feel separate and passive; they've lost the sense of specialness of real flesh.

Independent

This understanding of fragility and of specialness haunted me even when teenage years took me away from the wild world.

Independent

He knows Pryor's influences, but, more than that, he doesn't overestimate the specialness of Pryor's experience.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "specialness", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Uniqueness" emphasizes being the only one, while "distinctiveness" highlights being easily recognized.

Common error

In formal or academic writing, avoid overusing the word "specialness". While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "uniqueness", "distinctiveness", or "exceptionality". Choose the word that best fits the context and maintains the tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The noun "specialness" functions as an abstract noun, denoting the quality or state of being special. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in expressing the unique or distinctive nature of something, such as "the "specialness of the day"" or a performer's inherent qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "specialness" functions as a noun to describe the state of being unique or exceptional. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and is often used to emphasize the unique attributes of something. While versatile, it is best used with consideration of context, favoring alternatives like "uniqueness" or "distinctiveness" in more formal settings. The frequency of use is "very common", with a strong presence in News & Media, and is used to communicate and highlight something's unique properties. With a high expert rating, "specialness" remains a valuable term in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uniqueness

Focuses on the state of being the only one of its kind.

distinctiveness

Highlights the quality of being easily distinguishable from others.

exceptionality

Emphasizes the quality of being unusually good or outstanding.

peculiarity

Indicates something that is characteristic or distinctive.

rarity

Stresses the infrequency or scarcity of something.

singular nature

Highlights the unparalleled and unique character of something.

individual character

Focuses on the specific attributes that define something apart from others.

particularity

Emphasizes attention to detail and specific traits.

out-of-the-ordinariness

Highlights deviation from the commonplace.

one-of-a-kind quality

Stresses the unique and irreplaceable nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "specialness" in a sentence?

"Specialness" is a noun that describes the quality of being special or unique. For example, "The "specialness of the day" made it unforgettable".

What words are similar to "specialness"?

Alternatives to "specialness" include "uniqueness", "distinctiveness", and "exceptionality". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "specialness" in academic writing?

Yes, "specialness" is grammatically correct; however, in academic writing, consider more formal alternatives like "uniqueness" or "distinctiveness" for a more sophisticated tone.

What is the difference between "specialness" and "uniqueness"?

While both words describe a quality of being distinct, "specialness" emphasizes a general positive quality, while "uniqueness" specifically highlights being the only one of its kind.