specialist
SPEH-shuh-lihst
Specialist (noun) means someone with deep expertise in one particular field or subject. Example: “The museum hired a specialist to restore the damaged tapestry.”
noun
1
Someone with deep expertise in one particular field or subject.
"The museum hired a specialist to restore the damaged tapestry."
"She consulted a specialist about her knee injury."
"He's a specialist in medieval history."
2
A doctor who focuses on one branch of medicine rather than general practice.
"The specialist examined the scan and recommended a short course of treatment."
"My uncle waited weeks for an appointment with a skin specialist."
"Her GP referred her to a heart specialist."
How to use specialist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn expert who focuses narrowly on one subject or field rather than knowing a bit about everything.
Common pairings
medical specialist
a specialist in
a marketing specialist
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Word forms
- Plural
- specialists
- Comparative
- more specialist
- Superlative
- most specialist
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The museum hired a _____ to restore the damaged tapestry.
Etymology
Borrowed from French spécialiste, built from "special" plus the noun-forming ending -ist.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for specialist
realist
vocalist
idealist
finalist
loyalist
medalist
socialist
herbalist
mentalist
capitalist
journalist
naturalist
See all rhymes for specialist →
Frequently asked questions
What does “specialist” mean?
The word “specialist” means someone with deep expertise in one particular field or subject. In plain terms, an expert who focuses narrowly on one subject or field rather than knowing a bit about everything.
How do you pronounce “specialist”?
“Specialist” is pronounced SPEH-shuh-lihst (/ˈspɛʃəlɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “specialist” in a sentence?
Here is “specialist” used in a sentence: “She consulted a specialist about her knee injury.”
What is the opposite of “specialist”?
The opposite of “specialist” — its antonyms — are generalist and eurytopic.
What part of speech is “specialist”?
“Specialist” is a noun.
Where does the word “specialist” come from?
The word “specialist” comes from French. Borrowed from French spécialiste, built from "special" plus the noun-forming ending -ist.
Is “specialist” a common word?
“Specialist” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “specialist” have?
“Specialist” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone with deep expertise in one particular field or subject.
What is the difference between a specialist and a generalist?
A specialist has deep expertise in one particular field or subject. A generalist has broad knowledge across many areas rather than mastery of one. A specialist goes deep, while a generalist goes wide.
What is the difference between a specialist and a GP?
A GP, or general practitioner, treats a wide range of everyday health problems. A specialist is a doctor who focuses on one branch of medicine, such as cardiology or dermatology, and usually sees patients referred to them by a GP.
What is the difference between a specialist and an expert?
Both have advanced knowledge, but a specialist concentrates on one narrow field or subject. "Expert" is broader and describes anyone highly skilled, whether their knowledge covers a single area or several.
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