become more focused on an area of activity or field of study
"She specializes in Near Eastern history"
be specific about
"Could you please specify your criticism of my paper?"
suit to a special purpose
"specialize one's research"
"this kind of beak has become specialized in certain Galapagos finches"
devote oneself to a special area of work
"She specializes in honey bees"
"This baker specializes in French bread"
evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment
"Over millions of years, finches on different islands specialized into distinct species adapted to their unique local food sources."
To make distinct or separate from what is what is common
"The rare orchid specializes in growing on moss-covered rocks far away from ordinary soil."
To go into specific details.
"The artist's lecture didn't cover general art history but specialized in the techniques of the Renaissance period."
In plain English: To specialize means to focus your skills and knowledge on just one specific area instead of trying to do everything yourself.
"Many universities allow students to specialize in science, engineering, or arts during their final years."
Usage: Use specialize to describe when someone focuses their skills, knowledge, or business on a particular field rather than working generally. It often pairs with the preposition "in," as in specializing in medicine or law.
The word specialize comes from combining the root special with the suffix -ize. It entered English to mean making something specific or distinct.