specialty
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a subject or skill that you know a lot about or are very good at.
a specific field of study, professional expertise, or talent in which one excels.
Simple“The doctor's specialty is heart surgery, so she spends most of her time in the operating room.”
In context“While the firm handles various legal matters, their primary specialty lies in intellectual property disputes involving international patents.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'in'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a product, often food, that a specific place or restaurant is famous for.
a product or service that originates in and is uniquely characteristic of a specific location or establishment.
Simple“Fresh seafood is the specialty of this small coastal town.”
In context“The chef prepared the house specialty, a slow-roasted duck that has been on the menu since the restaurant opened in 1920.”
Synonymssignature dishfeature - 03 C2 Proficiency
a formal legal agreement that is signed and has a special seal.
a contract or obligation under seal, such as a deed, which is distinguished from a simple contract.
Simple“The lawyer explained that a specialty is a formal document that doesn't always need proof of payment to be valid.”
In context“Under common law, a specialty is an instrument under seal that creates a binding obligation even in the absence of consideration.”
UsageUsually refers to a 'specialty debt' or 'contract by specialty'.
Synonymsdeedsealed instrument
“Solly’s specialties are Tudor England, Renaissance and modern art, and World War II.”
“Huaca Pucllana is open to tourists, with a restaurant serving Peruvian specialties like ceviche, stir-fried beef and roasted alpaca meat.”
From Middle English specialte, Old French specialte, especialte, from Latin specialitas.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.