Definition of specific
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a
: constituting or falling into a specifiable category
b
: sharing or being those properties of something that allow it to be referred to a particular category
2a
: restricted to a particular individual, situation, relation, or effect
a disease specific to horses
b
: exerting a distinctive influence (as on a body part or a disease)
specific antibodies
3
: free from ambiguity : accurate
a specific statement of faith
4
: of, relating to, or constituting a species and especially a biological species
5a
: being any of various arbitrary physical constants and especially one relating a quantitative attribute to unit mass, volume, or area
b
: imposed at a fixed rate per unit (as of weight or count)
specific import duties
— compare ad valorem
specific
nounDefinition of specific (Entry 2 of 3)
1a
: something peculiarly adapted to a purpose or use
b
: a drug or remedy having a specific mitigating effect on a disease
used as a specific against malaria
2a
: a characteristic quality or trait
b
: details, particulars
—usually used in plural haggling over the legal and financial specifics of independence — Time
-specific
combining formDefinition of -specific (Entry 3 of 3)
: relating or applying specifically to or intended specifically for
gender-specific
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
More Confusing Words—Quiz
-
- The magician
______
moved the selected card to the top of the deck.

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Spell words. Make bears.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share specific
Time Traveler for specific
The first known use of specific was circa 1631
See more words from the same year