Specialty Meaning
/ˈspɛʃ.əl.ti/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThat in which one specializes; a chosen expertise or talent; bailiwick.
nounA product that originates in and is characteristic of a place.
Sentence Examples
Do you know a good specialty store dealing in herbs?
Mr. Smith's specialty is economics.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The chef's ____ is a chocolate dessert that won many awards last year.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The restaurant's house ____ is a spicy seafood pasta that is served with fresh local herbs.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English specialte, Old French specialte, especialte, from Latin specialitas.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Even men of boundless knowledge, like Humboldt, must have had once their speciality, their pet subject, or they would have, strictly speaking, no knowledge at all."
— 1858, Charles Kingsley, “My Winter-Garden”, in Fraser’s Magazine, volume 57, page 410:
"The specialty of rule hath been neglected:
And, look, how many Grecian tents do stand
Hollow upon this plain, so many hollow factions."
— c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:
"Let specialties be therefore drawne betweene vs,
That couenants may be kept on either hand."
— c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The chef's ____ is a chocolate dessert that won many awards last year.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The restaurant's house ____ is a spicy seafood pasta that is served with fresh local herbs.