specificity
noun
spec·i·fic·i·ty
ˌspe-sə-ˈfi-sə-tē 
: the quality or condition of being specific: such as
a
: the condition of being peculiar to a particular individual or group of organisms
host specificity of a parasite
b
: the condition of participating in or catalyzing only one or a few chemical reactions
the specificity of an enzyme
Examples of specificity in a Sentence
I was impressed by the specificity of her instructions.
the specificity of your description of your medical condition was a bit more than I needed
Recent Examples on the Web
Non-psychedelic neuroplastogens may test that question with a new level of specificity.
—
Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
And yet, reframed through Coogler’s dark Southern Gothic triumph, Gunn’s vision takes on new life as a critical foundation for a corner of the film world that remains broadly unmatched in its soulful specificity.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
The specificity of her words — invoking Venus of Pompeii by name — anchors the message in place and time with remarkable intimacy.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
In the age of streaming slop designed to appeal to as many people mid-Instagram-scroll as possible, there’s something wonderful about a film that’s not afraid to embrace its specificity.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specificity
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Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
And yet, reframed through Coogler’s dark Southern Gothic triumph, Gunn’s vision takes on new life as a critical foundation for a corner of the film world that remains broadly unmatched in its soulful specificity.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
The specificity of her words — invoking Venus of Pompeii by name — anchors the message in place and time with remarkable intimacy.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
In the age of streaming slop designed to appeal to as many people mid-Instagram-scroll as possible, there’s something wonderful about a film that’s not afraid to embrace its specificity.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specificity
Cite this Entry
“Specificity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specificity. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
specificity
noun
spec·i·fic·i·ty
ˌspes-ə-ˈfis-ət-ē
: the quality or condition of being specific
especially
: the condition of taking part in or of acting as a catalyst in only one or a few chemical reactions
the specificity of an enzyme
Medical Definition
specificity
noun
spec·i·fic·i·ty
ˌspes-ə-ˈfis-ət-ē
plural specificities
: the quality or condition of being specific: as
a
: the condition of being peculiar to a particular individual or group of organisms
host specificity of a parasite
b
: the condition of participating in or catalyzing only one or a few chemical reactions
the specificity of an enzyme
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