specificity
noun
spec·i·fic·i·ty
ˌspe-sə-ˈfi-sə-tē 
: the quality or condition of being specific: such as
a
: the condition of being peculiar to a particular individual or group of organisms
host specificity of a parasite
b
: the condition of participating in or catalyzing only one or a few chemical reactions
the specificity of an enzyme
Examples of specificity in a Sentence
I was impressed by the specificity of her instructions.
the specificity of your description of your medical condition was a bit more than I needed
Recent Examples on the Web
His comedy is a shallow-focus lens, rendering every plane of his self-perception in exquisite detail and losing specificity or texture as soon as that lens pans out toward other characters in his story.
—
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 23 May 2025
And more industry leaders are now echoing the sentiment that the path to lasting impact isn't scale but specificity.
—Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Photo: Chicago History Museum/Getty Images Palette For the vertical elements of the home—its structural piers and chimney, which also run through the interiors—Wright took inspiration from the specificity of Fallingwater’s isolated Pennsylvania site, as chosen by the nature-loving Kaufmann family.
—Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 15 May 2025
Key Democrats and moderate Republicans have expressed reservations, particularly over the lack of oversight and specificity in the bill's framework.
—Dan Cody, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for specificity
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Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 23 May 2025
And more industry leaders are now echoing the sentiment that the path to lasting impact isn't scale but specificity.
—Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Photo: Chicago History Museum/Getty Images Palette For the vertical elements of the home—its structural piers and chimney, which also run through the interiors—Wright took inspiration from the specificity of Fallingwater’s isolated Pennsylvania site, as chosen by the nature-loving Kaufmann family.
—Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 15 May 2025
Key Democrats and moderate Republicans have expressed reservations, particularly over the lack of oversight and specificity in the bill's framework.
—Dan Cody, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for specificity
Cite this Entry
“Specificity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specificity. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
specificity
noun
spec·i·fic·i·ty
ˌspes-ə-ˈfis-ət-ē
: the quality or condition of being specific
especially
: the condition of taking part in or of acting as a catalyst in only one or a few chemical reactions
the specificity of an enzyme
Medical Definition
specificity
noun
spec·i·fic·i·ty
ˌspes-ə-ˈfis-ət-ē
plural specificities
: the quality or condition of being specific: as
a
: the condition of being peculiar to a particular individual or group of organisms
host specificity of a parasite
b
: the condition of participating in or catalyzing only one or a few chemical reactions
the specificity of an enzyme
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