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 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

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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

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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
• prostate-specific antigen
• specific epithet
• specific heat
• specific impulse
• gender-specific
• specific gravity
• specific performance

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

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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