adj
Common
specialized
Specialized (adj) means Designed for or skilled in one particular purpose or area, rather than general use. Example: “Mending antique clocks is specialized work that takes years to learn.”
adj
1
Designed for or skilled in one particular purpose or area, rather than general use.
"Mending antique clocks is specialized work that takes years to learn."
"The hospital has a specialized unit for burn victims."
"She uses highly specialized software for the job."
How to use specialized
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMade or trained for a narrow, specific purpose rather than general use.
UK vs US
British English also spells this "specialised."
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more specialized
- Superlative
- most specialized
Fill the gap
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Mending antique clocks is _____ work that takes years to learn.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unspecialized
Related words
Rhymes for specialized
sized
prized
baptized
utilized
notarized
polarized
civilized
idealized
organized
oversized
localized
motorized
See all rhymes for specialized →
Frequently asked questions
What does “specialized” mean?
The word “specialized” means designed for or skilled in one particular purpose or area, rather than general use. In plain terms, made or trained for a narrow, specific purpose rather than general use.
How do you use “specialized” in a sentence?
Here is “specialized” used in a sentence: “The hospital has a specialized unit for burn victims.”
What part of speech is “specialized”?
“Specialized” is an adjective.
Is “specialized” a common word?
“Specialized” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is it specialized or specialised?
Both spellings are correct: specialized is the usual American form and is also standard in Oxford-style British English, while specialised is a common British variant. Whichever you pick, use one form consistently within a document.
What is the difference between specialized and specific?
Specific means clearly defined or particular, as in "a specific date", while specialized means designed for, or skilled in, one particular purpose or field rather than general use. A specialized tool is built for one job; a specific tool is simply the exact one you have in mind.
Should you say specialized in or specialized for?
Use in for a field of knowledge or work: doctors specialize in cardiology, and a firm can be described as specialized in logistics. Use for when describing the purpose something is designed to serve, as in "a wheelchair specialized for sport".
What is specialized knowledge?
Specialized knowledge is expertise in one particular field or activity rather than general knowledge, usually gained through focused training, study or experience. The phrase is common in professional and legal contexts, where it distinguishes an expert's understanding from what an ordinary person would know.
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