Many people are confused by the words “specialised” and “specialized” and are unsure which is the correct version to use when writing. This article explains how the right choice of the word depends on which part of the world you may find yourself in.
Specialised or Specialized – Which Spelling Is Correct?
There is no difference in meaning between “specialised” and” specialized.” In the US and Canada, it is spelt with a “Z”, whilst the UK and Australia spell it with an “S.” It means to be highly skilled in a particular field or to focus on one activity or “specialisation.”
The words “specialised” and “specialized” have exactly the same meaning and are only different because of regional spelling differences.
The Cambridge Dictionary states that specialised” means “to work in or know a lot about a particular service, skill, or discipline.”
A second definition is “something used in a particular subject.” This could include words, equipment, or anything that has been tailored to be used for a “specialised” purpose.
Some synonyms of the word “specialised” in the context of being “focused” or specific to a particular field are:
- focused
- niche
- concentrated
Whilst synonyms of the word “specialised” in the context of proficiency in a specific field are:
- specialist
- masterful
- expert
- accomplished
If you are writing in UK or Australian English, you should use the “S” version throughout the text; if you are writing in US or Canadian English, you should use the “Z” spelling. This rule also applies to many other common words such as organisation, realise, apologise, and many more.
Here are some examples of how to use the word “specialised”:
- Following the decline of industry, many people had to become specialised in different professions.
- The equipment used in modern manufacturing plants is exceptionally specialised and bespoke.
- She decided to specialise in oncology once she had finished her medical degree.
- The chef in the hotel we stayed at specialised in Middle Eastern cuisine.
- Each country specialises in a different product or industry.
- There is a tremendous need for specialised care services to help the elderly during winter.
Specialised or Specialized in the UK?
You may have come across the words “specialised” and “specialized” whilst reading and wondered which is correct. In the UK, technically, either is acceptable on exams and essays, but the traditional spelling of the word in the UK is “specialised.”
While using the “Z” version in the UK is okay, the vital thing to remember is to be consistent throughout the document. Therefore, if you start using an “S”, you should use it throughout, and vice versa if you start with the “Z.”
There is no variation in meaning between “specialised” and “specialized”, and the difference is simply a spelling variation, the same as with many other words like “cosy” or “authorise.”
The Google Ngram Viewer shows us that the frequency of both words increased steadily until around the 1980s when there was a decline in the use of the spelling “specialised.”
By 1990 “specialized” had become more common in the UK than “specialised” and is now more than three times more common.
Specialised or Specialized in the US?
In the US, the word’s correct spelling is “specialized.” Whilst in the UK, there is some variation in terms of frequency between “S” and “Z” spelling, and you could use both.
However, in the US, it is almost exclusively spelt with a “Z.” Therefore, if you are writing in American English, it is advisable always to spell it “specialized.”
The Google Ngram Viewer shows us that spelling the word with a “Z” in the US is and has always been far more common than using an “S”, and the use of the spelling “specialised” in the US is extremely low.
Specialised or Specialized in Canada?
In Canadian English, the verb ending -ize, which is used in the US, rather than -ise, which is used in Britain, is the most prevalent.
Therefore, the correct spelling in Canada would follow the same spelling trend as in the US, and the word would be spelt “specialized.”
Specialised or Specialized in Australia
Australian English follows the same spelling rules as British English and uses the -ise verb ending that is used in the UK, rather than the US version -ize.
Therefore, in the case of the word “specialised”, it would be written with an “S” in Australian English.
Specialised or Specialized in Other Countries?
The Google Ngram Viewer shows that at the start of the 20th century, the words “specialized” and “specialized” were reasonably equal in terms of frequency. Then from the 1940s to the 1990s, the spelling “specialized” became much more common worldwide, peaking in the 1950s.
Since the 1990s, the use of the word “specialized” has decreased significantly, but this hasn’t been replaced by any notable increase in the spelling “specialised”, which has remained constant in terms of frequency.
Instead, it seems overall that “specialized” has lost popularity when spelt with a “Z.” Considering the use of “specialized” has increased in the UK, this trend indicates that the use of the word has reduced in frequency in the US and Canada over the last thirty years.
Final Thoughts
The words “specialized” and “specialized” have the same definition and are only different because of geographical variation in spelling. For example, in the UK and Australia, “specialised” is the correct spelling, despite “specialized” being more common in the UK. Whilst in the US and Canada, “specialized” is the preferred spelling.
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
