specialty

[ spesh-uhl-tee ]

/ ˈspɛʃ əl ti /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: specialty / specialties on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural spe·cial·ties.

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

a special subject of study, line of work, area of interest, or the like: His specialty is art criticism.

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.

an article of unusual or superior design or quality.

a novelty; a new article.

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

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

Law.

a special agreement, contract, etc., expressed in an instrument under seal.
a negotiable instrument not under seal.

adjective

Theater. (in vaudeville)

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.
(of a song or dance) isolated from the rest of the show: specialty number.

OTHER WORDS FOR specialty

3 trademark, stamp, badge, forte.

See synonyms for specialty on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also especially British, speciality.

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

How to use specialty in a sentence

Conestoga Wood Specialties Corporation A Pennsylvania-based wood cabinet and specialty products manufacturer.
The 26 Next Hobby Lobbys|Abby Haglage|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Medical students opt for high-paying specialties so they can retire as quickly as possible.
How Being a Doctor Became the Most Miserable Profession|Daniela Drake|April 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There are specialties where interpersonal skills can take a backseat without harm to patient well-being.
How One Doctor Mastered the Art of Delivering Life-Changing Diagnoses|Russell Saunders|March 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The bill allots up to 250,000 limits to certain occupational specialties.
Robots Undercut the Case for More Immigrants|David Frum|February 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

While there are some less-desireable specialties that don't fill their slots, most are oversubscribed.
Easy Choices On Health Care: There Aren't Any|Megan McArdle|January 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Corn and winter wheat are the agricultural specialties of the Shenandoah Valley.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
In Peru, for example, they were divided into classes, who made the various means of divination specialties.
The Myths of the New World|Daniel G. Brinton
And the manufacturers excuse for putting such absurd specialties on the market is that physicians prescribe them!
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 1 of 2|Various
The Ebers Papyrus shows us that the specialties were by no means scantily developed.
Education: How Old The New|James J. Walsh
It would be well, too, to give more credit to the specialties of girls in the schools.
The Education of American Girls|Anna Callender Brackett

British Dictionary definitions for specialty

specialty

/ (ˈspɛʃəltɪ) /

noun plural -ties

law a formal contract or obligation expressed in a deed

US and Canadian a special interest or skill

a service or product specialized in, as at a restaurantroast beef was a specialty of the house
(as modifier)a specialty dish

a special or distinguishing feature or characteristic

another word for speciality

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

specialty

OTHER WORDS FOR specialty

Origin of specialty

Words related to specialty

How to use specialty in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for specialty