specify

verb

spec·​i·​fy ˈspe-sə-ˌfī 

specified; specifying

transitive verb

1

: to name or state explicitly or in detail

2

: to include as an item in a specification

specifiable

ˌspe-sə-ˈfī-ə-bəl 

adjective

specifier

ˈspe-sə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

Synonyms

• define
• prescribe

Examples of specify in a Sentence

Can you specify the cause of the argument?

Specify the color and quantity when you order.

He clearly specified California wine.

The instructions do not specify what kind of screws to use.

All subscriptions are for one year unless otherwise specified.

At the specified time, we rang the bell.

She agreed to the terms specified in the contract.

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump did not specify when new testing would begin, stating only that the timing would be announced. —Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025

The streaming platform did not specify the time the movie will be available to watch. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025

The ages of the whiskeys are not specified, only that some of the liquid was matured for up to 25 years and the proof ranged from 116 all the way up to a staggering 158. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2025

The publicly available reports from NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System don’t specify what airports the planes were flying to and from. —Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English specifien, from Anglo-French specifier, from Late Latin specificare, from specificus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing specify

• pre-specify

Rhymes for specify

• abscissae
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi
• certify

Kids Definition

specify

verb

spec·​i·​fy ˈspes-ə-ˌfī 

specified; specifying

1

: to name or mention exactly and clearly

specify the cause

2

: to include in a specification

specify oak flooring