specialty

noun

spe·​cial·​ty ˈspe-shəl-tē 

plural specialties

often attributive

1

: a distinctive mark or quality

2

a

: a special object or class of objects: such as

(1)

: a legal agreement embodied in a sealed instrument

(2)

: a product of a special kind or of special excellence

fried chicken is my specialty

b

: the state of being special, distinctive, or peculiar

3

: something in which one specializes

Synonyms

• area
• arena
• bailiwick
• barony
• business
• circle
• demesne
• department
• discipline
• domain
• element
• fief
• fiefdom
• field
• firmament
• front
• game
• kingdom
• line
• precinct
• province
• realm
• sphere
• terrain
• walk

Examples of specialty in a Sentence

Buttermilk pie is a Southern specialty.

a doctor with a specialty in dermatology

Recent Examples on the Web

Big European labels pulled back on wholesale accounts, cutting out smaller specialty stores to develop their own end-to-end distribution chains, enabling them to reap an even bigger share of the profits. —Christina Binkley, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2024

At the specialty awards box office, Focus Features will expand Conclave nationwide after opening the fall festival entry in limited theaters the weekend preceding the election. —Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2024

Docs are prominent among specialty releases this weekend with South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker renovating a massive Mexican restaurant and creative takes on psychics, oysters, Abraham Lincoln and Casablanca bread riots. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 6 Sep. 2024

Get the Recipe While now the mac and cheese queen is likely one auntie or another, once upon a time, this was Grandma's specialty. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English specialte, from Anglo-French especialté, from Late Latin specialitat-, specialitas, from Latin specialis special

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing specialty

• specialty of the house
• specialty shop
• sub-specialty

Kids Definition

specialty

noun

spe·​cial·​ty ˈspesh-əl-tē 

plural specialties

1

: a product of a special kind or of special excellence

eggs were the cook's specialty

2

: something a person specializes in or has special knowledge of

Medical Definition

specialty

noun

spe·​cial·​ty ˈspesh-əl-tē 

plural specialties

: something (as a branch of medicine) in which one specializes

Legal Definition

specialty

noun

spe·​cial·​ty

plural specialties

1

[from the special form of the contract] : formal contract at contract

2

: a doctrine providing that a person extradited can be prosecuted only for the charges described in the order for extradition

3

: real property (as a parcel of land or especially a structure) that is of such specialized character that no market for it exists and for which value upon condemnation is determined by the cost of reproduction less depreciation

—used especially in New York