specific

1 of 3

adjective

spe·​cif·​ic spi-ˈsi-fik How to pronounce specific (audio)
1
a
: 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
2
a
: 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
5
a
: 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

2 of 3

noun

1
a
: 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
2
a
: a characteristic quality or trait
b
: details, particulars
usually used in plural
haggling over the legal and financial specifics of independenceTime
c
specifics plural : specification sense 2a

-specific

3 of 3

combining form

: relating or applying specifically to or intended specifically for
gender-specific
Choose the Right Synonym for specific

special, especial, specific, particular, individual mean of or relating to one thing or class.

special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

explicit, definite, express, specific mean perfectly clear in meaning.

explicit implies such verbal plainness and distinctness that there is no need for inference and no room for difficulty in understanding.

explicit instructions

definite stresses precise, clear statement or arrangement that leaves no doubt or indecision.

the law is definite in such cases

express implies both explicitness and direct and positive utterance.

her express wishes

specific applies to what is precisely and fully treated in detail or particular.

two specific criticisms

Examples of specific in a Sentence

Adjective Is there anything specific you want for dinner? There is a specific word for this kind of feeling. a bird species that requires a specific environment We were each given a specific topic to talk about. The doctor gave the patient specific instructions on how to care for the wound. Can you be more specific? What exactly did the policeman say? He gave her a ring—or, to be more specific, he gave her an engagement ring. She was very specific—you have to use a certain kind of tomato in the sauce. an education plan specific to each student's interests and abilities problems specific to this one housing project Noun quinine is a specific for malaria although the speech was long on rhetoric and platitudinous generalities, it lacked specifics See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
This time around, the credit will actually reduce the amount a customer owes the month the rebate is issued and will appear as a specific line item on bills, according to Danni Hoefer, chief of staff at the Public Service Commission, which filed the settlement proposal Nov. 17. Andrew Moreau, arkansasonline.com, 1 Dec. 2023 The event was attended by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, though he was not named as a specific target in the arrest warrant. David K. Li, NBC News, 1 Dec. 2023 But Israeli intelligence gains may have been offset by Israel's agreement to stop flying reconnaissance drones above Gaza at specific times during the truce, Oehlerich added. Luis Martinez, ABC News, 1 Dec. 2023 Design and co-create behavioral norms and specific accountability checkpoints that will ensure a commitment to healthy group relational dynamics. Love Odih Kumuyi, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023 That could include recommendations for specific fitness classes, meditation, and bodywork, or a nutrition plan to help guests meet their goals. Melinda Fulmer, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2023 Symptoms can be very individual and include things like flashbacks, avoiding specific places or people, and hopelessness. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Nov. 2023 Other snakes that are lethal are restricted to specific areas of the country. Kamala Thiagarajan, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Nov. 2023 How much sodium a specific person needs depends on a variety of factors, according to Gregory Katz, MD, a cardiologist at NYU Langone Health. Rebecca Jaspan, Mph, Rd, Health, 21 Nov. 2023
Noun
Wiseman, who is the film’s director and editor, sticks to specifics in the course of the film (which runs four hours), paying meticulous attention to the manner in which the food gets to the table. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2023 Neither the specifics of the potential criminal charges to be brought against Binance nor the requirements the firm would have to meet under an agreement with the DOJ have yet been confirmed. Joel Khalili, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2023 The specifics of when is the best and worst time to travel depend on the day of your departure. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 17 Nov. 2023 Alibaba reported positive year-on-year growth in gross merchandise value, number of orders, and participating merchants on its platforms Taobao and Tmall, without giving specifics. Bylionel Lim, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2023 The coaches have a plan for how to split up play-calling duties, although Riley did not divulge specifics. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023 Richardson declines to give more specifics but has no regrets about posting. Danielle Bacher, Peoplemag, 2 Nov. 2023 The suit portrays House as transphobic without giving specifics, a point that rankled everyone involved with the series who spoke with Variety. Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 2 Nov. 2023 The specifics of nearly every facet of season six of The Crown are being kept close to the chest, including aspects of the wardrobe. Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'specific.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Combining form

Late Latin specificus, from Latin species

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1631, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of specific was circa 1631

Dictionary Entries Near specific

specif

specific

-specific

Cite this Entry

“Specific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specific. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

specific

1 of 2 adjective
spe·​cif·​ic spi-ˈsif-ik How to pronounce specific (audio)
1
: relating to or being an example of a certain kind of thing
a specific case
was the question specific or general?
2
a
: restricted to a particular individual, situation, effect, or reaction
a disease specific to humans
a specific enzyme
b
: having one particular effect or influence (as on a body part or a disease)
quinine is specific for malaria
3
: clearly and exactly presented or stated
gave them specific directions
4
: of, relating to, or being a species
specifically adverb

specific

2 of 2 noun
1
: something specially adapted to a purpose or use
especially : a drug or remedy specific for a particular disease
2
plural : things that are specific : details, particulars
get down to specifics

Medical Definition

specific

1 of 2 adjective
spe·​cif·​ic spi-ˈsif-ik How to pronounce specific (audio)
1
a
: restricted by nature 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
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a species and especially a biological species

specific

2 of 2 noun
: a drug or remedy having a specific mitigating effect on a disease

Legal Definition

specific

adjective
spe·​cif·​ic spə-ˈsi-fik How to pronounce specific (audio)
1
: relating to a particular thing
2
: intended for or restricted to a particular end or object
3
: being of a particularly identified kind or nature
specifically adverb
specificity noun

More from Merriam-Webster on specific

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!