Specialize (Verb)
Meaning 1
Evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment.
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- As a result of natural selection, certain animals on the island begin to specialize in unique characteristics that distinguish them from their mainland counterparts.
- Through millions of years of evolution, the polar bear would specialize to become highly adapted to its Arctic environment.
- The adaptation to different ecological niches led to various species specializing in consuming specific food sources.
- In Galapagos finches, specialization can be observed in their varying beak shapes and sizes, each adapted to eat certain seeds and fruits.
- The presence of strong predators has driven the evolution of the antelope, causing them to specialize and develop a defense mechanism such as camouflage or enhanced running speeds.
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Meaning 2
Be specific about; "Could you please specify your criticism of my paper?".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- Could you please specialize in explaining the main issues you have with my proposal.
- Can you specialize on the specific areas of the project where I went wrong.
- The teacher asked the student to specialize her question so it could be better understood.
- When giving feedback, please specialize on one or two things the student did incorrectly.
- Could you specialize on the exact problems you encountered with the product.
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Meaning 3
Suit to a special purpose; "specialize one's research"; "this kind of beak has become specialized in certain Galapagos finches".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- After years of practicing general medicine, she decided to specialize in cardiology to pursue her true passion.
- The tool company has learned to specialize their product line to meet the specific needs of the engineering industry.
- The artist is trying to specialize her craft in such a way that her style becomes instantly recognizable.
- He spent years studying the migratory patterns of birds and chose to specialize his research in that area.
- The beak of the woodpecker has become specialized to extract insects from tree bark with great efficiency.
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Meaning 4
Become more focused on an area of activity or field of study; "She specializes in Near Eastern history".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The professor specializes in environmental economics and has written several influential books on the subject.
- She specializes in Near Eastern history, particularly the history of the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia.
- He specializes in rare book preservation and has worked with some of the world's most prestigious libraries.
- The lawyer specializes in corporate law and has advised some of the biggest companies in the country.
- The surgeon specializes in pediatric heart surgery and has performed life-saving operations on countless children.
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Meaning 5
Devote oneself to a special area of work; "She specializes in honey bees"; "This baker specializes in French bread".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Examples
- The hospital has doctors who specialize in treating rare genetic disorders.
- Her career took off when she began to specialize in marketing for tech startups.
- The professor specializes in 19th-century American literature and teaches advanced seminars.
- After culinary school, she chose to specialize in pastry design and decoration.
- Researchers at the lab specialize in studying the effects of climate change on ecosystems.