English Reference
Noun

speciality

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌspɛʃiˈæɫɪti/ UK /spˌɛʃɪˈælɪti/ spe·cial·i·ty UK spelling specialities

n.a subject, skill, or product that someone is an expert in or is famous for. You use this to describe the one thing a person or place does better than anything else.

n.a pursuit, area of study, or product in which someone possesses particular expertise or which is characteristic of a specific place. Often refers to a signature dish in a culinary context.


SIMPLE

The chef's speciality is homemade pasta.

CONTEXTUAL

While the law firm handles many cases, their true speciality is international intellectual property rights.

COMPLEX

The region's primary speciality remains its hand-woven silk, a craft that has been refined over centuries and continues to drive the local export economy.

Usage

In British English, 'speciality' is the standard form; in American English, 'specialty' is preferred.

Pitfall
His specialty is on historyHis speciality is history

The noun is followed directly by the subject or linked with 'in' (speciality in history), but it does not take the preposition 'on'.

I finally had a way to connect my scientific research speciality with my ardour for earthworms in the soil.

Aeon· 17 Aug 2026

Tongue's position on the crease also aids him in his speciality of targeting the stumps.

BBC News· 28 Aug 2026

From special + -ity, from Middle French spécialité, from Old French specialte, especialte, from Latin specialitas.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin specialitas
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated