nonspecific

adjective

non·​spe·​cif·​ic ˌnän-spi-ˈsi-fik How to pronounce nonspecific (audio)
: not specific: such as
a
: lacking in detail or particulars
nonspecific answers
a nonspecific description
b
: not caused by a specific or identified agent
nonspecific enteritis
c
: not restricted to a particular category, situation, or group
nonspecific flu-like symptoms
d
: not affecting a particular region or part
nonspecific pain
e
: having a general purpose, effect, or action : lacking in specificity
nonspecific antiviral agents
nonspecific irritants
nonspecifically adverb
After a toxic protein is released into the bloodstream, it is taken up by macrophages, cells that nonspecifically scavenge and ingest various substances. Harald von Boehmer and Pawel Kisielow

Examples of nonspecific in a Sentence

his criticism of the picture is fairly nonspecific, but he clearly doesn't like it
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Be Specific, Not Generic One of the quickest ways to fade into the background during an interview is to give vague, nonspecific answers. Mark Murphy, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 The symptoms are nonspecific, and there is no formal diagnosis or method to reach a diagnosis. Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 11 Oct. 2024 In many healthy adults, pertussis may be limited to a lingering cough, while older children may only show nonspecific symptoms, such as a runny nose and a cough, Muñoz adds. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2024 This results in an oppression utterly devoid of context, so nonspecific as to be nothing. Caitlin Penzeymoog, Vox, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nonspecific 

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonspecific was in 1860

Dictionary Entries Near nonspecific

Cite this Entry

“Nonspecific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonspecific. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

nonspecific

adjective
non·​spe·​cif·​ic -spi-ˈsif-ik How to pronounce nonspecific (audio)
: not specific: as
a
: not caused by a specific or identified agent
nonspecific enteritis
b
: not restricted to a particular category, situation, or group
nonspecific flu-like symptoms
c
: not affecting a particular region or part
nonspecific pain
d
: having a general purpose, effect, or action
nonspecific antiviral agents
nonspecific irritants
nonspecifically adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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