To Specialize

1. To make distinct or separate, particularly:
   1. (obsolete, intransitive) To go into specific details.
   2. (rare, transitive) To specify: to mention specifically.
   3. (uncommon, transitive) To narrow in scope. quotations ▼
   4. (biology, transitive) To make distinct or separate in form or function.
2. (intransitive) To become distinct or separate, particularly:
   1. To focus one's study upon a particular skill, field, topic, or genre. [from late 19th c.]
   2. To focus one's business upon a particular item or service.
   3. (usually derogatory) To be known or notorious for some specialty.

Usage notes

In biological contexts, specialized is often used with the prepositions for [when describing the function] or into [when describing the form]. In academic, professional, and commercial contexts, it is usually used with the preposition in.

Antonyms

• generalize