besondere

German

Alternative forms

  • besondre

Etymology

From (late) Middle High German besunder, from bi + sunder.

See also sonder.

Pronunciation

  • Audio:(file)

Adjective

besondere (strong nominative masculine singular besonderer, comparative besonderer, superlative am besondersten)

  1. special, particular, extraordinary
    Synonyms: außergewöhnlich, speziell, Sonder-
    Antonyms: normal, gewöhnlich
    Das Besondere dabei ist...The special thing about it is...

Usage notes

The expected uninflected form "besonder" is no longer in use. It is instead replaced by besonders, both as a predicative adjective ("Er ist besonders") and as an adverb ("besonders gut").

Declension

Further reading

  • besondere” in Duden online
  • besondere” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache