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

Synonyms of specificity

• accuracy
• precision
• attentiveness
• particularity
• explicitness
• preciseness
• carefulness

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

Early exposure to regional specificities encouraged Pirshirazi to travel her home country broadly before moving to the United States in 2011. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Creating space for new generations of Asian and AAPI filmmakers to thrive, without forfeiting the specificity of their experiences, is paramount. — Kai Naima Williams, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

These differences have made the apple maggot an important model for studies of host specificity and the possibility of speciation (the evolution of new species) without geographic isolation. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026

The rule, according to Naish, is that specificity invites scrutiny. — Niranjana Rajalakshmi, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for specificity

• authenticity
• chromaticity
• concentricity
• domesticity
• eccentricity
• elasticity
• electricity
• iconicity
• metallicity
• multiplicity
• synchronicity
• analyticity

Kids 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