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

Discover More

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

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Spring specialties: garlic scapes, pea shoots, ramps, fiddlehead ferns, English peas, fava beans.

From

The kind of finds that usually require a trip to a specialty market or a deep dive down the aisles of H Mart.

From

Jenkins first brought portions of “The Chosen” to the big screen in 2021, beginning with a Christmas special he intended as a one-night-only showing with specialty distributor Fathom Entertainment to surprise fans.

From

Campus leaders have responded that their endowments had limitations because many donors gave money only for specific specialties or departments.

From

The market sold imported Greek foods and wine, and continues to do so today alongside broader Mediterranean and European specialty items.

From

Related Words

special theory of relativity speciate

Browse