# specialize

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪz/ · frequency rank #20,230

## Definitions
1. To make distinct or separate from what is common
2. To make distinct or separate from what is common
3. To make distinct or separate from what is common
4. To make distinct or separate from what is common
5. To become distinct or separate from what is common, particularly
6. To become distinct or separate from what is common
7. To become distinct or separate from what is common
8. To become distinct or separate from what is common
9. To train (someone) in a specialty.

## Etymology
From special + -ize.

## Easily confused with
- **specialized** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/specialize-vs-specialized)
- **socialize** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/socialize-vs-specialize)
- **specialist** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/specialist-vs-specialize)
- **speciality** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/speciality-vs-specialize)
- **specialise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/specialise-vs-specialize)
- **specialised** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/specialised-vs-specialize)

## Common misspellings (14)
`psecialize`, `sepcialize`, `spceialize`, `specailize`, `speccialize`, `speciailze`, `specialiez`, `specializze`, `speciallize`, `specialzie`, `specilaize`, `speicalize`, `sppecialize`, `sspecialize`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/specialize