speciality
gb/spˌɛʃiˈælɪti/ us/spˌɛʃiˈælɪti/
A2
English
~ 3700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
area of someone's expertise
Something that a person knows a lot about or can do very well.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s speciality is [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'speciality' with 'specialty'. Both are correct, but 'specialty' is more common in American English, and 'speciality' in British English.
Synonyms
expertise (Emphasizes deep knowledge or skill in a subject, often more formal.)
|
strength (More informal; refers to something someone is good at, not necessarily professional.)
Antonyms
weakness (The opposite of something someone is especially good at.)
Collocations
main speciality
|area of speciality
|medical speciality
|professional speciality
|speciality in [field]
Themes
work
|education
|skills
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her speciality is designing user-friendly websites.
- The chef's speciality is French pastries.
- My brother's speciality is fixing old cars.
- Data analysis is his main speciality at the company.
Learner examples
- Cooking Italian food is his speciality.
- Her speciality is making cakes.
- This doctor’s speciality is children’s health.
- My speciality is writing stories.
Noun
A2
entity
2
place's signature product or dish
A food or thing that a place is known for making very well.
Usage pattern:
[place]'s speciality is [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'speciality' as meaning 'special offer'; it refers to something made especially well, not necessarily cheaper.
Synonyms
signature dish (Used mainly for food; emphasizes uniqueness of the dish.)
|
trademark (Figurative; something strongly associated with a person or place.)
Antonyms
ordinary item (Something common and not unique to a person or place.)
Collocations
house speciality
|local speciality
|regional speciality
|chef's speciality
Themes
food
|travel
|commerce
|food_drink
|daily_life
Examples
- The house speciality is grilled sea bass.
- Cheddar cheese is a local speciality of the region.
- The bakery's speciality is sourdough bread.
- Spicy curry is their speciality.
Learner examples
- The soup is the restaurant’s speciality.
- This cake is our house speciality.
- Olives are a local speciality here.
- Their speciality is fresh fish.
Grammar
Dictionary form
speciality
IPA
GB/spˌɛʃiˈælɪti/
US/spˌɛʃiˈælɪti/
Syllables & stress
spe - ci - al - ity (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (al)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: speciality
- Plural: specialities
Word family
Forms
specialities
noun
Core family
Related words
Advanced or less common
specialism
noun
Expressions
chef's speciality
1/ʃˈɛfs spˌɛʃiˈælɪti/
fixed phrase
chef's best dish
The food that a chef cooks best.
Examples
- The chef's speciality tonight is seafood risotto.
- Ask about the chef’s speciality before you order.
house speciality
1/hˈaʊs spˌɛʃiˈælɪti/
fixed phrase
restaurant's best-known dish/product
The food or thing that a restaurant or shop makes best and is proud of.
Examples
- The house speciality is roast duck with orange sauce.
- Try the house speciality – it’s delicious.
local speciality
1/lˈoʊkəl spˌɛʃiˈælɪti/
fixed phrase
region's famous food/product
A food or thing that comes from and is famous in one place.
Examples
- Paella is a local speciality in Valencia.
- We always try the local specialities when we travel.