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specialize

UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈspɛʃəlaɪz/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪz/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(speshə līz′)

Inflections of 'specialize' (v): (⇒ conjugate)
specializes
v 3rd person singular (US & UK)
specializing
v pres p (US & UK)
specialized
v past (US & UK)
specialized
v past p (US & UK)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
spe•cial•ize /ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪz/USA pronunciation   v. [no object; (+ in + object) ], -ized, -iz•ing. 
  1. to study and become expert in some special area of study, work, etc.;
    have a specialty:The doctor specializes in eye surgery.
spe•cial•i•za•tion /ˌspɛʃələˈzeɪʃən/USA pronunciation  n. [uncountable]See -spec-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
spe•cial•ize  (speshə līz′),USA pronunciation v., -ized, -iz•ing. 
v.i. 
  1. to pursue some special line of study, work, etc.;
    have a specialty:The doctor specializes in gastroenterology.
  2. Biology(of an organism or one of its organs) to be adapted to a special function or environment.

v.t. 
  1. to render special or specific;
    invest with a special character, function, etc.
  2. to adapt to special conditions;
    restrict to specific limits.
  3. Businessto restrict payment of (a negotiable instrument) by endorsing over to a specific payee.
  4. to specify;
    particularize.
Also,[esp. Brit.,] special•ise′. 
  • French spécialiser. See special, -ize
  • 1605–15
spe′cial•i•zation, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
specialize, specialise /ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪz/ vb
  1. (intransitive) to train in or devote oneself to a particular area of study, occupation, or activity
  2. (usually passive) to cause (organisms or their parts) to develop in a way most suited to a particular environment or way of life or (of organisms, etc) to develop in this way
  3. (transitive) to modify or make suitable for a special use or purpose
ˌspecialiˈzation, ˌspecialiˈsation n
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'specialize' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

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