Reading Theme:
Specialise: Definition, Common Uses & Examples
Meaning 1：focus on a specific area (specialise)
specialise
/ˈspeʃəlaɪz/
v.
to focus all your efforts on one particular area and become very good at it.
focus on a specific area
➕
/ˈfəʊkəs ɒn ə spəˈsɪfɪk ˈeəriə/
v.
To devote all one's energy and attention to a particular subject or activity in order to achieve high proficiency.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'specialis' (meaning 'particular') + suffix '-ise' to form a verb.
💡 Mnemonic
Specialise: make your efforts special by focusing deeply on one area.
📖 Example
After medical school, she decided to specialise in pediatrics and now only treats children.
After medical school, she decided to specialize in pediatrics and now only treats children.
🔗 Collocations
specialise in – to concentrate on a specific subject or field
highly specialised – very focused and expert in a narrow area
specialise early – to begin focusing on a field from a young age
🔄 Synonyms
focus (v.) – to direct attention or effort towards a specific point
concentrate (v.) – to devote all one's attention to a particular activity
major in (v.) – to specialize in a particular subject in an educational context
🚫 Antonyms
generalise (v.) – to make broad or general statements without focusing on specifics
diversify (v.) – to vary or broaden one's interests or activities
🌱 Derivatives
specialisation (n.) – the process of specializing or the state of being specialized
specialist (n.) – a person who concentrates on a particular subject or activity
specialised (adj.) – designed or developed for a particular purpose or area
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'specialis', meaning 'individual or particular'. It entered English via French, reflecting the trend towards professional specialization in modern fields like medicine and law.
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