specifically

adverb

spe·​cif·​i·​cal·​ly spi-ˈsi-fi-k(ə-)lē 

1

: in a specific manner : in a definite and exact way : with precision

instructed them specifically on how to proceed

the people specifically named in the report

The reasons for the change were not specifically mentioned.

I specifically told her not to bother you.

Knead the bread dough for several minutes, or, more specifically, until it forms a smooth ball.

2

—used to indicate the exact identity, purpose, or use of something

The show is aimed specifically at a female audience.

Specifically, the stores are lowering the height of store shelving, changing out signs, repainting some areas and … putting products next to each other that customers typically buy together.

—Jill Rick

Synonyms

• especially
• notably
• particularly
• specially

Examples of specifically in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Institutions like historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are specifically designed to help Black students circumvent those barriers through culturally competent curricula and socially specific touch points. —Jasmine Browley, Essence, 15 May 2024

Why start a company specifically focused on telling Asian American stories? —Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024

As for humanitarian assistance specifically, international organizations receive 400 times more funding than local organizations—$39 billion versus $98 million in 2022. —Kennedy Odede, Fortune, 15 May 2024

Interestingly, Millennium is not a bourbon, but a blend of straight whiskeys—specifically wheated bourbon that defines the Weller brand combined with wheat whiskeys, all of which were distilled near the turn of the millennium (hence, the name) after everyone cooled off from Y2K panic. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 May 2024

Hard to imagine somebody donning that number again without Bailey specifically giving the OK. —Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 14 May 2024

The far-side mission will require communications with a relay satellite, specifically the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, which launched in March 2024. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 2 May 2024

More specifically, women who take medication to control high blood pressure may have a smaller chance of developing uterine fibroids, compared to those who don't. —Kristen Fischer, Health, 2 May 2024

One recent paper that includes authors from the company proposes a training paradigm for training AI agents across a wide range of domains and tasks, specifically demonstrating its performance across healthcare, robotics, and gaming. —Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 2 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1