specialize
verb /ˈspeʃəlaɪz/
/ˈspeʃəlaɪz/
(British English also specialise)
[intransitive]Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they specialize | /ˈspeʃəlaɪz/ /ˈspeʃəlaɪz/ |
| he / she / it specializes | /ˈspeʃəlaɪzɪz/ /ˈspeʃəlaɪzɪz/ |
| past simple specialized | /ˈspeʃəlaɪzd/ /ˈspeʃəlaɪzd/ |
| past participle specialized | /ˈspeʃəlaɪzd/ /ˈspeʃəlaɪzd/ |
| -ing form specializing | /ˈspeʃəlaɪzɪŋ/ /ˈspeʃəlaɪzɪŋ/ |
- to become an expert in a particular area of work, study or business; to spend more time on one area of work, etc. than on others
- Many students prefer not to specialize too soon.
- specialize in something He specialized in criminal law.
- The shop specializes in hand-made chocolates.
Word Originearly 17th cent.: from French spécialiser, from spécial ‘special’.