ENGLISH
REFERENCE

specialist

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈspɛʃəɫəst// UK //spˈɛʃəlˌɪst// spe·cial·ist General-service

n. a person who has a lot of knowledge or skill in one specific area. You see a specialist when you need expert help that a general worker cannot provide.

n. a person who concentrates on a particular subject, activity, or branch of a profession. Often used to distinguish an expert from a generalist or a primary care provider.


SIMPLE

The doctor sent me to see a heart specialist.

CONTEXTUAL

After the general inspection, the company hired a specialist to fix the complex electrical system.

COMPLEX

While a general practitioner manages overall health, a specialist possesses the deep technical expertise required to treat rare or particularly aggressive conditions within a specific organ system.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Borrowed from French spécialiste, equivalent to special + -ist.

Usage

Commonly followed by the preposition 'in' to denote the field of expertise.

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