What's the difference between specially and especially?

http://www.learnersdictionary.com/qa/what-s-the-difference-between-specially-and-especially

The following is derived from the above site.

What is the difference between specially and especially? – Mary, United States

The meanings and usage of these two similar-sounding words overlap quite a bit, so it can be hard to figure out which one to use when. If you are interested in the details, I encourage you to read their entries in Merriam-Webster's Learner’s Dictionary. If that’s more information than you need, here are simple rules to follow that will insure that you are using these words correctly:

 

1. Use especially to mean “very” or “extremely,” as in these examples:

• There is nothing especially radical about that idea. 
• The food was not especially good. 
• She loves flowers, especially roses.

2. Use especially when something stands out from all the others, and you want the meaning of “particularly,” as in these examples: 

• She can't be sure she will win, especially at this early stage of the campaign. 
• The appetizers and especially the soup were delicious. 

3. When you want to convey the meaning “for a special purpose,” or “specifically,” you can use either especially or specially. They are both correct. 

• The speech was written especially/specially for the occasion. 

4. When you want to convey the meaning “in a special manner”, as in this example below, use specially. In this context, especially would sound odd or wrong to most native speakers. 

• I don't want to be treated specially.
• I don't want to be treated especially. 

 

 

especially

 ADVERB

used when mentioning conditions that make something more relevant, important, or true

specially

 ADVERB

in a particular way, or for a particular purpose

uniquely

 ADVERB

especially

particularly

 ADVERB

used for emphasizing that something refers especially to one specific person, thing, or situation

notably

 ADVERB

FORMAL especially: used for introducing a good example of something

in particular

 PHRASE

especially

especially

 ADVERB

used for showing that what you are saying applies to one person or thing more than others

especially

 ADVERB

for a particular purpose or for a particular person

esp.

 ABBREVIATION

especially

above all

 PHRASE

used for referring to something that is more important than any of the other things you could mention