specific

1 of 3

adjective

spe·​cif·​ic spi-ˈsi-fik 

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 independence

—Time

c

specifics spi-ˈsi-fiks  plural : specification sense 2a

-specific

3 of 3

combining form

: relating or applying specifically to or intended specifically for

gender-specific

Synonyms

Adjective

• concrete
• distinct
• especial
• express
• peculiar
• precise
• set
• special

Noun

• cure
• drug
• medicament
• medication
• medicinal
• medicine
• pharmaceutical
• physic
• remedy

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

By continually adapting to each user’s specific needs, Dysolve’s AI not only identifies these errors but also actively retrains the brain, enhancing the user’s capacity to process and interpret language. —Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

The organization has demanded that the Channel 4 board of directors publish specific proposals to substantiate claims that indies will ultimately benefit from this restructuring. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 May 2025

Noun

Asked for specifics on how the FDA had analyzed potential effects on the microbiome, the group did not respond. —David Hilzenrath, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025

Setting the stage with soaring rhetoric is great, but is more impactful if conveyed with a few specifics to add to this afternoon’s To Do list. —Jay Sullivan, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing specific

• application-specific integrated circuit
• gender-specific
• prostate-specific antigen
• specific epithet
• specific gravity
• specific heat
• specific impulse
• specific performance

Rhymes for specific

• horrific
• pacific
• prolific
• salvific
• specific
• terrific
• calorific
• conspecific
• hieroglyphic
• honorific
• nonspecific
• scientific

Kids Definition

specific

1 of 2 adjective

spe·​cif·​ic spi-ˈsif-ik 

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

-ˈsif-i-k(ə-)lē 

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 

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 

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

-i-klē, -kə-lē 

adverb

specificity

ˌspe-sə-ˈfi-sə-tē 

noun