WordGarden.iospecialty
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /spˈɛʃəlti/
US
- /ˈspeɪʃəlti/
Meanings
Noun
a particular subject, activity, or field in which someone has developed expertise
a food, product, or service that a person, place, or business is especially known for
Adjective
relating to a specialized product line, service, or market rather than a general one
Beyond the definition
Everyone has things they do well, but a specialty is the one area they know best or do best. Think of a doctor: some treat many common problems, while others focus on one field, such as heart care or skin care. A bakery might be known for its sourdough bread, and that is its specialty.
The word is often used for work, study, or creative skill. You can build a specialty through years of practice, training, or natural ability. A chef might have a specialty in French cooking, while an artist's specialty might be working with clay.
A specialty refers to a particular area of expertise, skill, or focus that someone has developed, often to a high level. It is more than just being good at something; it suggests steady work, strong knowledge, and clear ability in one area. For example, saying that "her specialty is restoring antique furniture" means she is especially skilled in that craft.
The term is used across many contexts. In medicine, a specialty is a doctor's specific area of practice, such as pediatrics or oncology. In the culinary world, it can refer to a dish for which a chef or restaurant is well known, like a seaside cafe whose specialty is seafood paella. Businesses also have specialties; a bookstore might focus on rare and collectible first editions.
A specialty is not always something formal or professionally recognized. It can simply be a skill you have built over time, like being the person your friends always ask to fix a computer. In that sense, you have a real specialty in solving tech problems. Overall, the word suggests a level of dedication and mastery that goes beyond general ability. Whether it is part of a job, a hobby, or a natural talent, a specialty is the thing you are especially known for.
Examples
- 1
Patient care
Helping nervous children feel comfortable is Dr. Lee's specialty.
- 2
Medical field
After medical school, she chose cardiology as her specialty.
- 3
Legal expertise
Tax law is the firm's main specialty.
- 4
Restaurant dish
The cafe's house specialty is cinnamon pancakes.
- Phrasehouse specialty
a dish a restaurant is especially known for
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Local products
We bought a few local specialties at the night market.
- Phraselocal specialties
foods or products that are typical of a place
See also
Similar
- specialization
- area of expertise
- specialism
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- general practice
- weakness
Used with (collocations)
- medical specialty
- choose a specialty
- specialty area
- specialty training
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- specialtynoun
Forms
- specialtiespluralnoun