specific

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

Synonyms of specific

• fact
• detail

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 on the Web

But, the specifics of the procedure and a timetable for the switch-hitter’s return were not known. —Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026

As whiskey fans already know, Booker’s stands out as being an uncut, unfiltered bourbon, and while the specifics change from batch to batch, there are some constants—the whiskey is usually six to eight years old and between 120 and 130 proof. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 June 2026

See package directions for specifics for your area. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2026

Some specifics there about them spying on American officials. —CBS News, 7 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

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