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Glite Dictionary
to overspecialize

to overspecialize

1 8.9
To focus too much on one small area and ignore other skills
  • verb
  • /ˌoʊvərˈspɛʃəlaɪz/
: sobrespecializar
  • She felt that by choosing to overspecialize in just one area of science, she restricted her career options.

Examples

  • Don't overspecialize in just one field!

  • It's easy to overspecialize in a technical job and lose sight of important general skills.

  • He overspecialized in medieval poetry and struggled to find teaching positions.

  • Some scientists worry they might overspecialize and miss broader connections in their field.

  • He overspecialized in marine biology.

  • Many professionals worry that if they overspecialize, they might miss opportunities in broader fields.

  • Students may overspecialize in their majors, which can limit their understanding of related subjects.

Antonyms

to broaden
90 3.9

To make or become wider and include more things

to diversify
42 5.3

To add different kinds of products or activities to reduce risk

How Specialized

to overspecialize
1 8.9
to specialize
218 4.3

Surface Forms

overspecialize infinitive
overspecialized past
overspecialized past participle
overspecializing present participle
overspecializes third person singular

Morphology

overspecialize = specialize (transparent) = over + specialize

The prefix 'over-' meaning 'excessively' plus the verb 'specialize' yields the clear meaning 'to become or make excessively specialized'.

Etymology

Overspecialize is made of over- meaning 'too much' and specialize, from special meaning 'a particular area' or 'one small field', like a specialist who works only in one thing. So to overspecialize is to focus 'too much' on one narrow area and limit your skills or knowledge.