View synonyms for

specialty

[ spesh-uhl-tee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural specialties.

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.
Synonyms: , , ,
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.
1. a special agreement, contract, etc., expressed in an instrument under seal.
2. a negotiable instrument not under seal.

adjective

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

/ ˈ��ɛʃə��ɪ /

noun

law a formal contract or obligation expressed in a deed
a special interest or skill
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
a special or distinguishing feature or characteristic

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Word History and Origins

Origin of specialty¹

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

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A spokesperson for GEO said that its support services include “around-the-clock access to medical care, in-person and virtual legal and family visitation, general and legal library access, dietician-approved meals and specialty diets, and recreational amenities.”

From

He left Focus Features in 2013, after Universal Pictures named a new head of the specialty imprint and relocated its headquarters from New York to the studio lot in California.

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My go-to order is always General Tso's chicken, pork fried rice, and an egg roll—but I also always try their specialty, whatever it is.

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Medical students, often faced with staggering educational debt, are increasingly choosing higher-paid specialties over primary care.

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As therapy becomes more mainstream, there is a specialty that’s hiding in the shadows — financial therapy.

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Related Words

special theory of relativity speciate

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