Specialty

/ˈspeʃəlti/

nounmediumCommonScience

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A particular skill, area of study, or type of product.

/ˈspeʃəlti/

nounneutralmedium
Science

Her specialty is baking elaborate cakes for weddings.

💡 Simply: A specialty is like what you're really good at or what a place is known for. Like, my specialty is making amazing pancakes for breakfast. Or, this shop's specialty is ice cream with crazy toppings!

👶 For kids: Something special that someone is good at, or a special thing a store sells.

More Examples

2

The university offers a specialty in data science.

3

This local shop has a delicious specialty: homemade pasta.

How It's Used

Culinary

"The restaurant is known for its seafood specialty."

Medical

"Cardiology is a medical specialty focused on the heart."

Business

"This store's specialty is handmade chocolates."

2

A product or service that is unique or of high quality and is provided by a particular business or person.

/ˈspeʃəlti/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A distinctive product or service.

The restaurant's specialty is their homemade pasta dishes.

💡 Simply: A store's 'specialty' is something they're known for selling, like fancy chocolates at a candy shop, or a specific type of cuisine in a restaurant.

👶 For kids: A special thing that a store or person sells.

More Examples

2

That store's specialty is rare and antique books.

3

The bakery's specialty is their croissants.

How It's Used

Retail

"Their specialty is imported French cheeses."

Hospitality

"The hotel has a specialty restaurant serving international cuisine."

Tip:Think of something a store *specializes* in.

Idioms & expressions

Specialty store

A retail store focusing on a particular type of product or service.

"The downtown area features many specialty stores, such as a bookstore, a record shop, and a comic book store."

areas of specialty

Specific subjects in which one specializes.

"His areas of specialty include surgery and dermatology."

From Middle English *specialte*, from Old French *especialté* (modern French *spécialité*), from Late Latin *specialitas*, from Latin *specialis* (“special”).

The term has been in use since the 14th century, initially referring to a particular characteristic or quality before evolving to describe a field of expertise or a distinctive product.

Memory tip

Think of a 'special' product or skill.

speciality

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written