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Speciality vs. Specialty: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Speciality and specialty both refer to an area of expertise or a distinctive feature, but "speciality" is more common in British English, while "specialty" is preferred in American English.
Speciality vs. Specialty

Key Differences

Speciality, primarily used in British English, refers to a particular area someone excels in or a distinctive feature of something. Specialty, the American English variant, conveys the same meaning, focusing on a person’s area of expertise or a distinctive aspect of a product or service.
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Nov 11, 2023
In the context of professions, a doctor's speciality in the UK might be cardiology, while in the US, a doctor's specialty would also be cardiology. The difference lies mainly in regional language preference.
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Nov 11, 2023
Speciality is also used in culinary contexts in the UK to describe a food or dish that is unique to a particular place. Similarly, in the US, a restaurant may be famous for a seafood specialty, referring to a dish they are particularly known for.
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The spelling of speciality with an extra 'i' is common in British English, while the shorter form, specialty, is the norm in American English. This reflects a broader trend in linguistic differences between these English variants.
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In summary, speciality and specialty are essentially the same in meaning and usage, their primary difference being regional language preference, with speciality favored in British English and specialty in American English.
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Comparison Chart

Regional Usage

British English
American English
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Spelling

Contains an extra 'i'
Shorter form
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Common Contexts

Professional expertise, unique features
Professional expertise, unique features
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Linguistic Trend

Reflects British spelling conventions
Reflects American spelling conventions
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Culinary Usage

Describing unique dishes or foods
Describing unique dishes or foods
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Speciality and Specialty Definitions

Speciality

A distinctive feature or unique aspect.
This bakery’s speciality is its homemade sourdough bread.
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Specialty

A distinctive or unique feature.
The café's specialty is its rich, hand-crafted espresso.
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Speciality

A field or area in which one excels.
Her speciality in medieval literature is widely recognized.
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Specialty

A particular service or product offered by a business.
Their specialty is custom-made wedding cakes.
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Speciality

A product for which a region or place is known.
The region's speciality is its fine wine.
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Specialty

A specific field of academic or professional study.
His specialty in architectural design is evident in his work.
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Speciality

An area of study or concentration in a profession.
His speciality in surgery has earned him numerous accolades.
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Specialty

A special pursuit, occupation, aptitude, or skill
The professor's specialty was the study of ancient languages.
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Speciality

A service or product offered particularly by a business.
The restaurant's speciality is its wood-fired pizza.
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Specialty

A branch of medicine or surgery, such as cardiology or neurosurgery, in which a physician specializes; the field or practice of a specialist.
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Oct 19, 2023

Speciality

A distinguishing mark or feature.
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Specialty

An item or product of a distinctive kind or of particular superiority
French pastry is the chef's specialty.
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Oct 19, 2023

Speciality

Specialities Special points of consideration; particulars.
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Specialty

(Law) A contract or agreement that creates a greater obligation than an ordinary contract or agreement because it is executed under seal.
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Oct 19, 2023

Speciality

Chiefly British A specialty.
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Specialty

That in which one specializes; a chosen expertise or talent.
They cook well overall, but their true specialty is pasta.
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Oct 19, 2023

Speciality

Standard form of specialty
They cook well overall, but their true speciality is pasta.
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Oct 19, 2023

Specialty

A product that originates in and is characteristic of a place.
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Speciality

A particular or peculiar case; a particularity.
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Specialty

(obsolete) Particularity.
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Speciality

The special or peculiar mark or characteristic of a person or thing; that for which a person is specially distinguished; an object of special attention; a special occupation or object of attention; a specialty.
Strive, while improving your one talent, to enrich your whole capital as a man. It is in this way that you escape from the wretched narrow-mindedness which is the characteristic of every one who cultivates his speciality.
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Specialty

A particular or peculiar case.
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Speciality

An attribute or quality peculiar to a species.
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Specialty

An attribute or quality peculiar to a species.
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Speciality

An asset of special worth or utility;
Cooking is his forte
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Specialty

(legal) A contract or obligation under seal; a contract by deed; a writing, under seal, given as security for a debt particularly specified.
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Oct 19, 2023

Speciality

A distinguishing trait
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Specialty

Particularity.
Specialty of rule hath been neglected.
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Speciality

The special line of work you have adopted as your career;
His specialization is gastroenterology
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Specialty

A particular or peculiar case.
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Specialty

A contract or obligation under seal; a contract by deed; a writing, under seal, given as security for a debt particularly specified.
Let specialties be therefore drawn between us.
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Oct 19, 2023

Specialty

That for which a person is distinguished, in which he is specially versed, or which he makes an object of special attention; a speciality.
Men of boundless knowledge, like Humbold, must have had once their specialty, their pet subject.
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Specialty

An asset of special worth or utility;
Cooking is his forte
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Oct 19, 2023

Specialty

A distinguishing trait
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Specialty

The special line of work you have adopted as your career;
His specialization is gastroenterology
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Specialty

An area of expertise or professional focus.
She's known for her specialty in neurology.
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Nov 11, 2023

Specialty

A product uniquely associated with a particular area.
This town's specialty is artisanal cheeses.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries

What does speciality mean?

An area of expertise or a unique feature, common in British English.
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Are speciality and specialty interchangeable?

Yes, but usage depends on regional language preference.
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What’s a common context for using specialty?

Describing a person's area of expertise or a unique product.
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What’s an example of a culinary specialty?

A dish or ingredient unique to a particular restaurant or region.
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Can speciality refer to food?

Yes, especially a unique dish or product in a region.
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Does the meaning of speciality change in different fields?

Its core meaning remains, but applications vary (e.g., culinary, academic).
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How do you choose between speciality and specialty?

Based on whether you're using British or American English.
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What does specialty mean?

Similar to speciality, denoting expertise or uniqueness, used in American English.
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Is speciality used in American English?

Less commonly, as specialty is preferred.
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Is specialty commonly used in professional contexts?

Yes, particularly regarding someone's area of professional expertise.
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Can speciality be a personal trait?

It typically refers to skills or talents rather than traits.
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Can speciality refer to a hobby?

It can, especially if one excels or specializes in it.
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Is specialty used in education?

Yes, for areas of concentration or major study fields.
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Is there a spelling difference between the two?

Yes, speciality has an extra 'i' compared to specialty.
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Can speciality be used in academic contexts?

Yes, to denote a particular field of study or research.
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Are there synonyms for speciality/specialty?

Expertise, forte, and strong suit are similar in meaning.
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Does specialty have different regional meanings?

Its meaning stays consistent, but usage varies regionally.
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Nov 11, 2023

How does one develop a speciality or specialty?

Through focused study, practice, or experience in a specific area.
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Nov 11, 2023

Can a business have a speciality?

Yes, a product or service that they are particularly known for.
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Is specialty often used in medical professions?

Yes, to describe a doctor's specific area of expertise.
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About Author
Shumaila Saeed
Written by
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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