specific

play

adjective spe·cif·ic \ spi-ˈsi-fik \

Definition of specific

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

—

specifically

play \spi-ˈsi-fi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See specific defined for English-language learners

See specific defined for kids

Examples of specific in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of specific from the Web

Regan did not answer a specific question about that contention.

— jsonline.com, "Trust damaged between Milwaukee police and community, Department of Justice draft report says," 30 Aug. 2017
Starting Tuesday, Echo owners can ask Alexa to play music from one of those specific groupings of devices, or the entire set.

— matt day, The Seattle Times, "Amazon’s Alexa can now play music in specific rooms," 29 Aug. 2017
Or train the dogs to urinate in a specific, small area to limit the damage to the rest of the lawn.

— NOLA.com, "Why are citrus trees producing less fruit this year?," 26 Aug. 2017
A meeting scheduled for Tuesday night could result in a more specific time frame.

— city news service, Ramona Sentinel, "County workers threaten to strike," 25 Aug. 2017
Researchers are creating organoids from tumor cells to mimic cancers and introducing specific mutations into organoids made from healthy tissue to study how cancer arises.

— gunjan sinha, Science | AAAS, "This scientist is building miniature guts, livers, and lungs that could save your life one day," 23 Aug. 2017
Outside the right-wing echo chamber, there were relatively few calls on Democrats to denounce specific radical left-wing groups after the shooting.

— fred bauer, National Review, "Rebuilding the Public Square after Charlottesville," 18 Aug. 2017
Tom Hartman handles the sound for the Burr Ridge concerts and for specific bands at other venues.

— kimberly fornek, chicagotribune.com, "Booking bands for summer suburban concerts requires a lot of planning," 16 Aug. 2017
Given how closely related Neanderthals are to our own species, the researchers’ ability to identify a single protein sequence specific to our evolutionary cousins is stunning.

— gemma tarlach, Discover Magazine, "Proteomics: Moving Beyond DNA to Study the Past," 15 Aug. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of specific

Late Latin specificus, from Latin species

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1631

See Words from the same year

specific Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

nonspecific

Related Words

lone, only, separate, single, sole, solitary; distinctive, exclusive, individual, unique; limited, restricted; differentiated, specialized; given, specified

Near Antonyms

general, generalized, generic, nonexclusive, universal

Synonym Discussion of 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

specific

noun

Definition of specific

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 plural :specification 2a

Examples of specific in a Sentence

quinine is a specific for malaria
although the speech was long on rhetoric and platitudinous generalities, it lacked specifics

Recent Examples of specific from the Web

The speech Wednesday outlined broad principles but did little to advance the debate over the specifics of what the tax plan should look like.

— damian paletta, Washington Post, "Trump pushes tax cuts, hopes he isn’t ‘disappointed’ by Congress," 30 Aug. 2017
The specifics of the plan outlined by city officials:

— paul gattis, AL.com, "Plan for Johnson high school campus unveiled; city officials get pushback," 30 Aug. 2017
Nonetheless, Trump’s rejection of the Chinese proposal suggests that he is committed to a specific policy goal on trade with China — or, at least, to the specifics of his spectacle.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Seems to Genuinely Want a Trade War With China," 29 Aug. 2017
The public is welcome to attend this free event to learn the specifics of raising, breeding and caring for alpacas as well as live demonstrations.

— compiled by hannah johnson, star-telegram, "Events and activities," 25 Aug. 2017
A new filtering system called Beauty Matches will allow users to filter content from the Community specific to their traits and needs.

— kathleen hou, The Cut, "Sephora Is Creating the World’s Largest Beauty Forum," 14 Aug. 2017
In reality, Trump seems to have no idea how Trumpcare works, cannot seem to point to any specifics or benefits of Trumpcare, and doesn't seem interested in finding out.

— jack holmes, Esquire, "Seth Meyers Proves Trump Knows Nothing About the Healthcare Bill," 29 June 2017
Jaime Ruiz, a spokesman for CBP, said in an email that the agency can’t discuss the specifics of this case, but added that they are required by law to seize and forfeit drug paraphernalia.

— christopher ingraham, The Cannabist, "Why are feds blocking a product aimed at keeping drugs out of kids’ hands?," 16 June 2017
The specifics of the two commemorations: • The nationwide Flag Day was created in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson.

— bay area news group, The Mercury News, "Flag Day and Bear Flag Revolt: June 14 is banner day times two," 14 June 2017

First Known Use of specific

1661

specific Synonyms

-specific

combining form

Definition of -specific

:relating or applying specifically to or intended specifically for

gender-specific

Origin and Etymology of -specific

¹specific

SPECIFIC Defined for English Language Learners

specific

play

adjective

Definition of specific for English Language Learners

: special or particular
: clearly and exactly presented or stated : precise or exact
: relating to a particular person, situation, etc.

SPECIFIC Defined for Kids

specific

play

adjective spe·cif·ic \ spi-ˈsi-fik \

Definition of specific for Students

1 :relating to or being an example of a certain kind of thing

a specific case

2 :relating to a particular individual or situation

There are problems specific to this project.

3 :clearly and exactly presented or stated

specific directions

—

specifically

\-ˈsi-fi-kə-lē\ adverb

Medical Dictionary

specific

play

adjective spe·cif·ic \ spi-ˈsif-ik \

medical Definition of specific

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

noun

medical Definition of specific

:a drug or remedy having a specific mitigating effect on a disease

Law Dictionary

specific

play

adjective spe·cif·ic \ spə-ˈsi-fik \

legal Definition of specific

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

play \-i-klē, -kə-lē\ adverb

—

specificity

play \ˌspe-sə-ˈfi-sə-tē\ noun

Learn More about specific

See words that rhyme with specific Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for specific Spanish Central: Translation of specific Nglish: Translation of specific for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of specific for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up specific? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

specific

Definition of specific

specifically

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

Examples of specific in a Sentence

Recent Examples of specific from the Web

Origin and Etymology of specific

specific Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of specific

specific

Definition of specific

Examples of specific in a Sentence

Recent Examples of specific from the Web

First Known Use of specific

specific Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

-specific

Definition of -specific

Origin and Etymology of -specific

SPECIFIC Defined for English Language Learners

specific

Definition of specific for English Language Learners

SPECIFIC Defined for Kids

specific

Definition of specific for Students

specifically

Medical Dictionary

specific

medical Definition of specific

specific

medical Definition of specific

Law Dictionary

specific

legal Definition of specific

specifically

specificity

Learn More about specific

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

Let's Talk 'Tea'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066