1. Become more focused on an area of activity or field of study
   "She specialises in Near Eastern history";
   - specialize, narrow, narrow down
    
2. Devote oneself to a special area of work
   "She specialises in honey bees"; "This baker specialises in French bread";
   - specialize
    
3. Suit to a special purpose
   "specialise one's research"; "this kind of beak has become specialised in certain Galapagos finches";
   - specialize
    
4. Be specific about
   "Let me specialise what I mean";
   - specify, particularize, particularise [Brit], specialize
    
5. Evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment
   "The isolated population began to specialise over time";
   - speciate, differentiate, specialize

Derived forms: specialised, specialising, specialises

See also: contract

Type of: alter, change, dilate, elaborate, enlarge, evolve, expand, expatiate, exposit, expound, flesh out, lucubrate [archaic], modify, vary, work

Antonym: generalise [Brit]

Encyclopedia: Specialise