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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Buttermilk pie is a Southern specialty. a doctor with a specialty in dermatology
Recent Examples on the Web Electric vehicles have oft-ignored production costs, such as batteries that rely on specialty metals found in some not-so-pleasant places like China, which could care less about its carbon footprint and uses its resources to shape global policy. 
Mark Yost, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Many factors dictate what a worker can expect to be paid: Years of experience, tenure with the company, or specialty skills, to name a few. Jane Thier, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2022 Both specialty chains later emerged from bankruptcy. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 Korean-American specialty grocery chain H Mart continues its growth in the Bay Area, with construction on its fourth location in the region underway. Mario Cortez, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 Sep. 2022 Michaels, the specialty arts and crafts retailer, is planning to fill 265 seasonal positions in metro Phoenix and others elsewhere in Arizona in preparation for the 2022 holiday shopping season. Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 Thousand milers and other Ice Age Trail enthusiasts will be able to show their trail pride on the road with more than a bumper sticker if a new specialty license plate gets approved. Chelsey Lewis, Journal Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2022 Live music, wine garden, food, family-friendly activities, specialty shops and galleries. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 5 Sep. 2022 Greek-specialty coffee and desserts, including frappes and baklava sundaes, will also be available. San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2022 See More
Mark Yost, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Many factors dictate what a worker can expect to be paid: Years of experience, tenure with the company, or specialty skills, to name a few. Jane Thier, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2022 Both specialty chains later emerged from bankruptcy. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 Korean-American specialty grocery chain H Mart continues its growth in the Bay Area, with construction on its fourth location in the region underway. Mario Cortez, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 Sep. 2022 Michaels, the specialty arts and crafts retailer, is planning to fill 265 seasonal positions in metro Phoenix and others elsewhere in Arizona in preparation for the 2022 holiday shopping season. Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 7 Sep. 2022 Thousand milers and other Ice Age Trail enthusiasts will be able to show their trail pride on the road with more than a bumper sticker if a new specialty license plate gets approved. Chelsey Lewis, Journal Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2022 Live music, wine garden, food, family-friendly activities, specialty shops and galleries. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 5 Sep. 2022 Greek-specialty coffee and desserts, including frappes and baklava sundaes, will also be available. San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
specialty
noun
spe·cial·ty ˈspe-shəl-tē
plural specialties
: something for which a person or place is known
Pancakes are my specialty.
Good service is the restaurant's specialty.
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
specialty
noun
1
as in area
a region of activity, knowledge, or influence a doctor with a specialty in internal medicine Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- area
- department
- field
- realm
- domain
- element
- walk
- sphere
- kingdom
- province
- terrain
- territory
- discipline
- business
- arena
- circle
- bailiwick
- front
- game
- precinct
- study
- subject
- confine
- line
- profession
- fief
- firmament
- fiefdom
- barony
- demesne
- scope
- subspecialty
- frontier
- pursuit
- vocation
- occupation
- turf
- breadth
- width
- racket
- subfield
- reach
- sweep
- extent
- ambit
- compass
- amplitude
- ken
- dimension(s)
2
as in speciality
something for which a person shows a special talent singing operatic works is my specialty Synonyms & Similar Words
- speciality
- domain
- thing
- talent
- department
- forte
- gift
- business
- area
- vocation
- field
- discipline
- metier
- province
- métier
- tendency
- strong suit
- aptitude
- long suit
- element
- realm
- genius
- sphere
- circle
- arena
- precinct
- pursuit
- terrain
- faculty
- flair
- knack
- bailiwick
- line
- inclination
- fief
- bent
- fiefdom
- predilection
- racket
- penchant
- predisposition
- propensity
- leaning
- demesne
- aptness
- proclivity
- partiality