specialize
Americanverb (used without object)
-
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.
verb (used with object)
-
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.
verb
-
(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
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
specializationnoun
-
overspecializeverb
-
subspecializeverb
-
prespecializeverb (used without object)
-
superspecializeverb (used without object)
-
nonspecializingadjective
-
unspecializingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
specializesimple
-
specializessimple
-
have specializedperfect
-
has specializedperfect
-
am specializingprogressive
-
are specializingprogressive
-
is specializingprogressive
-
have been specializingperfect progressive
-
has been specializingperfect progressive
Past
-
specializedsimple
-
had specializedperfect
-
was specializingprogressive
-
were specializingprogressive
-
had been specializingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of specialize
From the French word spécialiser, dating back to 1605–15; see special, -ize
Explanation
To specialize is to narrow down your focus, in your studies or profession, to a specific field. If you love playing the accordion, perhaps you should specialize in polka music. If there’s a subject you think is special, specialize in it! For example, doctors start to specialize in medical school, when they study something specific such as podiatry (feet) or cardiology (hearts). Other professionals also specialize in smaller parts of larger fields, like lawyers who specialize in corporate law, or writers who specialize in TV comedies.
Vocabulary lists containing specialize
Drama
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
African Civilizations, Lessons 1–2
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Eyes Wide Open
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The barrage of missiles and drones hit ships that specialize in short voyages in and out of the Persian Gulf, known as “shuttle runs.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
They specialize in California heritage-style clothing for men.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026
They also specialize in Korean seafood pancakes that are so good.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026
This is in contrast to some money managers in the high-yield space who specialize in buying heavily discounted bonds of troubled or even bankrupt issuers.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 2, 2026
As a living organism becomes more complex, its cells differentiate—that is, they specialize.
From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman
Celebrated Japanese writer-director Hirokazu Kore-eda specializes in gentle, sentimental films about the tiny fissures that form along the foundation of families.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
“This is the savior for media, if they really focus on it,” said Brian Meehan, co-founder of Knocking, a Connecticut-based company that specializes in embedding e-commerce into TV and digital content.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026
Destinus, which specializes in strike and air-defense systems, will lead the consortium and bear responsibility for the kill vehicle, the component that destroys ballistic missiles in space.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
The James Webb Space Telescope is especially well suited to search for these hypothetical structures because it specializes in infrared observations.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026
“For instance, while I do think Chuck Norris specializes in the roundhouse kick, I don’t think it’s accurate to say, ‘Chuck Norris’s tears can cure cancer, but unfortunately he has never cried.’
From "Paper Towns" by John Green
Institutions will be required to have specialized infrastructure to conduct these reviews.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Across the nation, they’ve set up safe spaces in schools, specialized classrooms that feel more like living rooms and that are manned by professional counselors trained in domestic violence intervention.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026
A US review panel on Thursday recommended loosening restrictions on the much hyped peptide BPC-157, voting that specialized pharmacies be allowed to produce it despite alarm bells from medical experts over safety concerns.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
Higher rates can raise the cost of every dollar borrowed to build data centers, develop specialized chips or upgrade power grids.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
Around this time—1834—the word scientist was first coined, beginning an era that gradually professionalized the study of the natural world, and began to divide it into ever more specialized fields.
From "The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman
The next day, that name emerged: California-based Taylor Farms, the third-largest producer of fresh produce in the U.S., specializing in packaged salad kits and fresh-cut vegetables.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
Therefore, he expects companies specializing in HBM and advanced chip packaging to maintain strong pricing power.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026
“It’s really about endurance now,” said Hamidreza Azizi, a visiting fellow specializing in Iran at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
The sale was arranged by Scott Keeney, founder of the Realest, a Los Angeles-based enterprise specializing in sports and entertainment memorabilia.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
On September second, Shin Hoo's Restaurant, specializing in authentic Chinese cuisine, held its grand opening.
From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
