How to pronounce specialty
Say it like SPESH-ul-tee. Specialty has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPESH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce specialty. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SPESH
- ul
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Specialty pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SPESHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of specialty
American and British speakers say specialty in essentially the same way: /ˈspɛʃəlti/ in the US and /ˈspɛʃəlti/ in the UK.
British respelling: SPESH-ul-tee.
Other ways to say specialty
Specialty also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- SPAY-shul-tee /ˈspeɪʃəlti/
What does specialty mean?
- an asset of special worth or utility“cooking is his forte”
- a distinguishing trait
- the special line of work you have adopted as your career“his specialization is gastroenterology”
Where does specialty come from?
From Middle English specialte, Old French specialte, especialte, from Latin specialitas.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying specialty
How do you pronounce specialty?
Say SPESH-ul-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˈspɛʃəlti/. In British English it is /ˈspɛʃəlti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in specialty?
Specialty has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPESH). Broken into parts: SPESH · ul · tee.
Do Americans and Brits say specialty the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈspɛʃəlti/ and the British form is /ˈspɛʃəlti/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.