Word
specialized
Phoneticsspe·cial·ized, stress on the first syllable
/ˈspɛʃəˌɫaɪzd/
UK spelling · specialised
Definition
adj. designed for a specific purpose or requiring expert knowledge.
adj. designed for a particular purpose or requiring specific expertise; often used to describe equipment, knowledge, or professional roles.
Examples
“She decided to specialize in international law.”
“After finishing medical school, he chose to specialize in pediatrics to help children in rural communities.”
“While general practitioners provide essential broad-spectrum care, many doctors eventually specialize in order to master the complex diagnostic tools and treatments required for specific chronic conditions.”
Examples
simple
“She decided to specialize in international law.”
contextual
“After finishing medical school, he chose to specialize in pediatrics to help children in rural communities.”
complex
“While general practitioners provide essential broad-spectrum care, many doctors eventually specialize in order to master the complex diagnostic tools and treatments required for specific chronic conditions.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “specialized” in context.
Verb
01. provide specialized care
“The hospice provides specialized care for patients with terminal illnesses.”
verb + adj + noun
02. require specialized skills
“Restoring Renaissance paintings requires specialized skills that take decades to master.”
verb + adj + noun
Noun
03. specialized knowledge of law
“The position requires specialized knowledge of international maritime law.”
adj + noun + of + noun
04. specialized software for design
“Architects use specialized software for 3D modeling and structural analysis.”
adj + noun + prep + noun
05. specialized training in surgery
“After medical school, she underwent five years of specialized training in neurosurgery.”
adj + noun + prep + noun
Adverb
06. highly specialized equipment
“The laboratory requires highly specialized equipment to conduct these sensitive experiments.”
adv + adj + noun
07. increasingly specialized field
“Quantum cryptography is an increasingly specialized field within computer science.”
adv + adj + noun
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it modifies.
Real-World Examples
“North Kivu lacks sufficient options to refer patients to specialized facilities, and none of the six affected health zones in Haut-Uélé yet has a treatment centre meeting required standards.” “The Pan American Health Organization has deployed specialised personnel and medical supplies, while other UN agencies are assessing the most urgent needs.” “Dogs have been shaping—and being shaped by—humans for about 15,000 years, evolving from early partners of hunter-gatherers into an astonishing range of specialized companions.” “A specialised underwater team was flown to the area, the CPU said, as search and rescue continued on Wednesday.” Synonyms
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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