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specialty store

specialty store

6 2.8
A shop that sells only one type of product
  • noun
  • /ˈspɛʃəlti stɔr/
  • US
translation icon : tienda especializada
  • You can find rare Japanese snacks at our local specialty store that focuses on international foods.
  • convenience and specialty store

Examples

  • I really like Orlando magazine, which has a multitude of discount coupons to Disney places, sights, restaurants, and specialty stores.

    Blog text (24)
  • I speak of the people who would shop in specialty stores to begin with, not just random folk.

    Blog text (26)
  • I'm sure I can find most of the things you write about in a local specialty store, though...

    Blog text (6)
  • Or, step into a specialty store and read its bulletin board.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Now the only trip I take is to our local Sri Lankan specialty store.

  • I always thought gel food coloring would be something you find in specialty stores.

    Blog text (22)
  • The tents were made in China and were sold at specialty stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com from January 2005 until now.

    Blog text (4)
  • If you are on a tight budget and you cannot afford to buy items from specialty stores, consider working on these personalized birthday gifts at home.

    Blog text (26)
  • The property is encircled by Miracle Mile Shops with more than 170 specialty stores and restaurants.

    Blog text (29)
  • Organic and rainforest-protective "shade-grown" coffees are available at Starbucks and other specialty stores and supermarkets.

    Academic text (2006)

Synonyms

store
vsspecialty store
1.0

A shop where people buy goods like food or clothes

specializes in one category rather than offering many different items
retail store
vsspecialty store
27 1.0

A shop that sells goods in small amounts directly to people

sells only one specific product category rather than many kinds
sales outlet
vsspecialty store
1 2.6

A shop or store that sells things to people

sells a limited range focused on a single product type

Antonyms

16 2.1

A shop in a small town that sells many everyday things

How Specialized

boutique
75 4.4
specialty store
  • US
6 2.8
general store
16 2.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

specialty + store

The meaning 'a shop that specializes in a particular type of merchandise' is directly inferable by combining 'specialty' (a specific focus or area of expertise) with 'store' (a shop). This compositional pattern is common cross-linguistically (e.g., tienda especializada) and thus a B1 learner who knows both words should readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Specialty store comes from the simple idea of a shop that focuses on one special thing. A specialty is a 'special skill or item' and a store is a shop, so a specialty store means a shop that sells only one kind of product, like only tea or only shoes.