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Definition of specialism

specialism

/ˈspɛʃ.əl.ɪz.əm/
spe · cial · ism
Plural:specialisms
•
Adjective:specialist
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specialism Lexical Profile

specialism Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

British A particular branch of study, profession, or area of expertise to which someone devotes their main attention.

Example

"Her academic specialism is nineteenth-century social history."

2

The practice of concentrating on a restricted field of study or work rather than broad general knowledge.

Example

"Critics argued that excessive specialism in secondary education narrows students' intellectual horizons."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

"Specialism" is primarily used in British English to denote a specific area of professional or academic expertise, whereas North American English strongly favors "specialty" or "specialization".

• Nearby Words

spearpoint
spec
special
specialism
specialist
specialization
specialize

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the mid-19th century from the adjective "special" (from Latin specialis, meaning "particular" or "individual") combined with the suffix "-ism".

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Specialism. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/specialism
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