specialize
to pursue some special line of study, work, etc.; have a specialty: The doctor specializes in gastroenterology.
Biology. (of an organism or one of its organs) to be adapted to a special function or environment.
to render special or specific; invest with a special character, function, etc.
to adapt to special conditions; restrict to specific limits.
to restrict payment of (a negotiable instrument) by endorsing over to a specific payee.
to specify; particularize.
Origin of specialize
1- Also especially British, spe·cial·ise .
Other words from specialize
- spe·cial·i·za·tion [spesh-uh-lahy-zey-shuhn], /ˌspɛʃ ə laɪˈzeɪ ʃən/, noun
- non·spe·cial·iz·ing, adjective
- o·ver·spe·cial·ize, verb, o·ver·spe·cial·ized, o·ver·spe·cial·iz·ing.
- pre·spe·cial·ize, verb (used without object), pre·spe·cial·ized, pre·spe·cial·iz·ing.
- sub·spe·cial·ize, verb, sub·spe·cial·ized, sub·spe·cial·iz·ing.
- su·per·spe·cial·ize, verb (used without object), su·per·spe·cial·ized, su·per·spe·cial·iz·ing.
- un·spe·cial·iz·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use specialize in a sentence
Another Sportsman, humbler in aspiration, is prepared to specialise on rabbits.
Division of labour has set in, and groups of cells specialise in the performance of functions.
The Kempton-Wace Letters | Jack LondonTo an observant eye and a listening ear he adds a charm of manner which is rare amongst authors who specialise in travel-talk.
Trevlyn Hold | Mrs. Henry WoodHe led me across many decks from craft to craft to study the various appliances that they specialise in.
Sea Warfare | Rudyard KiplingHe is the very modern type in every modern country who does specialise in slang.
What I Saw in America | G. K. Chesterton
British Dictionary definitions for specialize
specialise
/ (ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪz) /
(intr) to train in or devote oneself to a particular area of study, occupation, or activity
(usually passive) to cause (organisms or their parts) to develop in a way most suited to a particular environment or way of life or (of organisms, etc) to develop in this way
(tr) to modify or make suitable for a special use or purpose
(tr) to mention specifically; specify
(tr) to endorse (a commercial paper) to a specific payee
Derived forms of specialize
- specialization or specialisation, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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