DictionaryAI

specialize

verb
USSPESH-uh-lyz/ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪz/

Formsspecializes, specializing, specialized

UK spellingspecialise

9 meanings of specialize

Practice

  1. 1
    study focusverbintransitive
    To choose one main subject and learn a lot about it.

    Like picking one favorite game and getting really good at it instead of playing many.

    Many doctors specialize in just one part of the body.

    She decided to specialize in medieval history at college.

    Similarconcentrate, focus, major

    Note
  2. 2
    business focusverbintransitive
    To sell or offer mainly one kind of thing instead of many.

    Like a store that only sells shoes, so it knows shoes better than anyone.

    This bakery specializes in gluten-free bread.

    Some shops specialize in rare comic books.

    Similarfocus, concentrate

    Oppositediversify

    Note
  3. 3
    verbtransitive
    To shape a cell or body part so it can do one particular job.

    Like training a worker to do just one job really well.

    Strong selection pressures can specialize a body part for a single function.

    Evolution specialized the gut cells to absorb nutrients efficiently.

    Similaradapt, differentiate, modify

    Note
  4. 4
    grow differentverbintransitive
    To become different from the usual or common kind.

    Over time, the group began to specialize and form its own style.

    Languages specialize as communities grow apart.

    Similardifferentiate, focus

    Oppositediversify, generalize

    Note
  5. 5
    trainverbtransitive
    To train a person to do one special kind of work.

    Like teaching someone just one job until they master it.

    The army specializes recruits in different combat roles.

    Hospitals specialize new doctors in fields like surgery.

    Similartrain, school, educate

    Note
  6. 6
    verbderogatoryintransitive
    To be known for doing one thing, often something bad or annoying.

    Like someone who is always late, so being late becomes their special thing.

    That company specializes in breaking promises.

    Some politicians specialize in empty speeches.

    Similarexcel

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 7
    narrow downverbraretransitive
    To make something cover a smaller or more exact area.

    Like zooming in on one small part of a big picture.

    The new rules specialize the law to apply only to large companies.

    He is at moſt a confuſed and wild Chriſtian, not ſpecialized by any form, but capable of all.
    1628, John Earle, Micro-CosmographyHere, specialized means narrowed down to one exact form.

    Similarnarrow, restrict, limit, tailor, focus

    Oppositebroaden, widen, generalize, expand

  2. 8
    specifyverbraretransitive
    To name or point out something exactly.

    Like pointing to the exact thing you mean instead of waving at everything.

    Please specialize the exact date in your letter.

    Our Sauiour specialising and nominating the places in which these false prophets should teach his presence to be.
    1616, Richard Sheldon, A Survey of the Miracles of the Church of RomeHere, specialising means naming or pointing out something exactly.

    Similarspecify, itemize, detail, particularize, enumerate

    Note
  3. 9
    give detailsverbobsoleteintransitive
    To talk about something in full, exact detail.
    Firſt laſh the Great-ones ; but, if thou be wiſe, / In generall, and doe not ſpeciallize : / Yet, if thou doe, ſo wiſely let it be, / None may except but thoſe that faulty be.
    1613, George Wither, “The Scourge”Here, speciallize means to go into exact details.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from the word "special" plus the ending "-ize."