SPECIALITY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does speciality mean? 

• SPECIALITY (noun)
  The noun SPECIALITY has 3 senses:

1. an asset of special worth or utility

2. a distinguishing trait

3. the special line of work you have adopted as your career

  Familiarity information: SPECIALITY used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SPECIALITY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An asset of special worth or utility

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

forte; long suit; metier; speciality; specialty; strength; strong point; strong suit

Context example:

cooking is his forte

Hypernyms ("speciality" is a kind of...):

asset; plus (a useful or valuable quality)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "speciality"):

green fingers; green thumb (a special ability to make plants grow)

Derivation:

special (having a specific function or scope)

special (first and most important)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A distinguishing trait

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

distinctiveness; peculiarity; speciality; specialness; specialty

Hypernyms ("speciality" is a kind of...):

individualism; individuality; individuation (the quality of being individual)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "speciality"):

foible; idiosyncrasy; mannerism (a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The special line of work you have adopted as your career

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

specialisation; specialism; speciality; specialization; specialty

Context example:

his specialization is gastroenterology

Hypernyms ("speciality" is a kind of...):

calling; career; vocation (the particular occupation for which you are trained)