specific

adjective

Save Word

spe·cif·ic | \ spi-ˈsi-fik

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

noun

Definition 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

c specifics plural : specification sense 2a

-specific

combining form

Definition of -specific (Entry 3 of 3)

: relating or applying specifically to or intended specifically for gender-specific

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing specific Learn More About specific

Choose the Right Synonym for specific

Adjective

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 Biancardi said Hurley looks for a specific trait in his commits. — Shreyas Laddha, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2022 Point72’s heads of human resources, data solutions and data engineering also work for the Mets, and other employees have been temporarily loaned out to the team for specific projects. — Juliet Chung, WSJ, 9 May 2022 Don’t demonize any specific food — it’s a recipe for shame. — Washington Post, 9 May 2022 Heavy alcohol use, certain medications and specific toxins can also lead to hepatitis, as can some medical conditions. — Katia Hetter, CNN, 9 May 2022 Vivian's uncle, 62 Group leader Soly Malinovsky (Eddie Marsan), and boyfriend, Jack Morris (Tom Varey), who goes undercover into the NSM, are also not specific depictions of historical figures. — Emily Burack, Town & Country, 9 May 2022 Grothendieck almost never worked with specific examples. — Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 9 May 2022 Roberts didn’t want to give a specific timetable for Treinen’s return but said the team is aiming to have him back for the stretch run of the season. — Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2022 Although evaluation will always play a role in succession planning for specific positions within your company, a much better approach is self-selection. — Rhett Power, Forbes, 8 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Roar‘s reach for the universal comes at the cost of the specific. — Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2022 Having previously turned movement into an ideal, almost abstract form, Yeoh is now bringing it back to the specific — a particular aging, female, Asian body housing a human being with complex emotions. — New York Times, 15 Mar. 2022 Jepsen’s great trick is invoking the communal over the specific. — New York Times, 14 Mar. 2022 The history is the specific to time and place elements. — oregonlive, 9 Feb. 2022 But her smaller-scale series showcase even better Winfrey’s gift for breaking down the boundaries between the elites and the masses and for locating the universal in the specific or even the exceptional. — Washington Post, 31 Dec. 2021 In the hands of the Rodríguez brothers, this at times unbearably claustrophobic movie is constantly pushing us into the specific so as to get at something bigger, something more universal. — Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 21 Dec. 2021 His life is in many ways unique, but good writers can locate the universal in the specific. — Washington Post, 18 Dec. 2021 The fact that this came from that one weird specific is comedy gold, through and through. — Luke Kelly-clyne And Graham Techler, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'specific.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.