Skip to main content
unspecialized

unspecialized

1 5.4
Not made for one special purpose and useful in many ways
  • adjective
  • /ˌʌnˈspɛʃəˌlaɪzd/
translation icon : no especializado
  • Day-blooming species are usually characterized by brightly colored flowers that are sought out as a pollen and nectar source by unspecialized insects such as generalist bees and flies.
  • unspecialized cells
  • unspecialized state

Examples

  • The research focused on unspecialized cells that can transform into various types of tissue when needed.

  • All you need is for a few more unspecialized cells to become brain cells.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Our teeth are unspecialized either way.

    Blog text (15)
  • If you place an atom in an unspecialized location, what would be a specialized location?

  • Thompson said the whole idea of a "G-cloud" or "CloudStore" of services just for government is contrary to the unspecialized nature of cloud services.

    Blog text (4)
  • Each starts off as a floral meristem, a mound of rudimentary, unspecialized cells—the plant equivalents of embryonic stem cells.

    Academic text (2006)
  • In a study on regeneration, scientists observed how unspecialized cells can develop into organs.

  • Understanding how unspecialized cells function is crucial for advances in regenerative medicine.

Synonyms

unskilled
vsunspecialized
11 1.9

A job that does not need special training

is about lack of modification for a particular purpose rather than skill need
nonspecialized
vsunspecialized
4.1

Not limited to one area or skill and useful in many situations

is not modified for a specific purpose
nonspecial
vsunspecialized
4.6

Not having special or unique qualities

is general rather than adapted for a specific purpose
unpersonalized
vsunspecialized
6.3

Not made for one person and the same for everyone

is not modified for any particular role or function
unadapted
vsunspecialized
7.3

Not used to new conditions and so struggle to live or work there

is not modified to serve a specific purpose or function

Antonyms

3.9

Clearly defined and exact for a particular thing or person

70 5.4

Made for a particular job, activity, or area

How Specialized

specialized
  • US
70 5.4
narrow
181 2.6
unspecialized
1 5.4
generic
81 4.8

Surface Forms

unspecialized positive

Morphology

unspecialized = specialized (transparent) = un + special + ize + d

Formed by adding the productive negative prefix 'un-' to the adjective 'specialized'; the negated meaning 'not specialized' is directly inferable.

Etymology

Unspecialized breaks into un- meaning 'not', the familiar special meaning 'made for a particular use', and -ized which turns it into an adjective. So, unspecialized means 'not made for a specific job', that is, general or able to do many different things.