specialty

American  

[spesh-uhl-tee] / ˈspɛʃ əl ti /

noun

• specialties
  plural

1. a special or distinctive quality, mark, state, or condition.

2. a special subject of study, line of work, area of interest, or the like.

   His specialty is art criticism.

3. an article or service particularly dealt in, rendered, manufactured, etc., or one to which the provider, dealer, or manufacturer claims to devote special care.

   The manufacturer's specialty is fine hats.

   Synonyms:

   forte, badge, stamp, trademark

4. an article of unusual or superior design or quality.

5. a novelty; a new article.

6. an article with such strong consumer demand that it is at least partially removed from price competition.

7. a special or particular point, item, matter, characteristic, or peculiarity.

8. Law.

   1. a special agreement, contract, etc., expressed in an instrument under seal.

   2. a negotiable instrument not under seal.

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adjective

1. Theater. (in vaudeville)

   1. performing or performed in a manner that is unusual or not customary for a type of act, especially a performance involving dexterity or ingenuity, as a patter song.

      specialty actor; specialty act.

   2. (of a song or dance) isolated from the rest of the show.

      specialty number.

specialty British  

/ ˈspɛʃəltɪ /

noun

1. law a formal contract or obligation expressed in a deed

2. a special interest or skill

3. 1. a service or product specialized in, as at a restaurant

      roast beef was a specialty of the house

   2. ( as modifier )

      a specialty dish

4. a special or distinguishing feature or characteristic

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• specialties
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of specialty

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English specialte, specialite “particular affection, fondness,” from Old French especialte, specialte “special quality, favor, or privilege,” from Latin speciālitāt- (inflectional stem of speciālitās) “particularity, peculiarity”; see special, -ity

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Explanation

A specialty is someone's strong suit or area of expertise. A restaurant’s best dish would be its specialty. If you love baking muffins, make that your specialty. Magic Johnson was a great overall basketball player, but his specialty was passing the ball to teammates and getting assists. A specialty is a skill, strength, or asset someone has because of hard work. A doctor can have a specialty such as cardiology. A restaurant will usually have a specialty, which is a unique meal they're known for making. Just like special things have something unique or great about them, specialties are something a person or place does well.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

specialty specialties

“We’re almost like a loose confederation of small specialty stores, and I think that creates such a rich culture for us,” Mahady said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026

Kelly Clarkson accused a staffer at a specialty store in New York of disrespecting her during a recent shopping trip, but the establishment has pushed back, saying it was all a “misunderstanding.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

White button mushrooms are a valuable specialty crop and a familiar ingredient in everything from salads and appetizers to everyday meals.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

Cigna Group investors will be looking for more detail on the growth of its specialty pharmacy business under new CEO Brian Evanko.

From Barron's ● Sep. 29, 2026

“The first prize we’d like to announce is a specialty prize, the Small Fry prize—for our youngest contestant participating today. Lucas Winters, come on up here.”

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

"Hurricanes carry moisture and move ocean currents and plankton," he said, noting the consequences for seafood dishes at his restaurant Huniik, where he reimagines Mayan specialties.

From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026

It brings together scientists from different specialties and countries to investigate some of the most difficult problems in cancer research.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026

Postproduction covers anything that happens in the final stages of filmmaking, including specialties like sound design and color grading.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

"We're short-staffed, we're asking people to work outside of their specialties," she said.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

She doesn’t repeat these items with scorn, but as exotic specialties.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

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