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

Commanders order up helicopter fire missions on specific targets identified in the field. —Serhii Korolchuk, Washington Post, 23 Sep. 2023

The intention matters because altering your eating for specific medical reasons can be an effective form of self-care, whereas restricting food in an effort to weigh less typically doesn’t work and can lead to disordered eating—and sends an anti-fat message. 2. —Christine Byrne, Mph, SELF, 22 Sep. 2023

The Indian foreign ministry said Canada had not shared any specific information about the murder. —Reuters, NBC News, 22 Sep. 2023

The tests are intended for use through the end of 2023, and will include specific instructions on how to verify expiration dates. —Julia Landwehr, Health, 22 Sep. 2023

Whereas with specific problem areas, a thicker body makeup might provide better coverage and be more easily applied (rather than all over). —Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023

However, specific programs such as honors, may require one. —The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023

Baker said the district does not disclose the specific security measures of its schools, but shared general information on district security procedures. —Christopher Huffaker, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2023

What changes are expected Although the company has been tight-lipped on confirming specific changes to the new phones, the company is expected to switch its steel casing for titanium, add better cameras, and swap its signature lightning port for a standard USB-C connector, according to Axios. —Misty Severi, Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2023

Noun

The key to giving better employee feedback is focusing on specifics about the employee’s role. —Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2023

Entertainment & Arts Playwright and ‘Moonlight’ screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney to lead Geffen Playhouse Sept. 12, 2023 Advertisement The narrator provides some specifics about his life without getting lost in detail. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2023

Meiselas conceded, without giving specifics, that Combs’ legal fees for the two-year process of reassigning those rights were not inconsiderable. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 14 Sep. 2023

To the surprise of many, the session was replete with specifics. —WIRED, 14 Sep. 2023

But consensus on what that role should be and specifics on legislation remained elusive, according to attendees. —Brian Fung, CNN, 13 Sep. 2023

With the brand new Mike McCready Stratocaster, the artist now has a guitar designed to his specifics, including a custom pickup set to sound like his 1960 Stratocaster, a six-point tremolo, and a fingerboard radius that has enough arc for chording and easier note bending. —Daniel Kohn, Spin, 12 Sep. 2023

While the specifics will vary by state – Massachusetts has different regulations for coastal management, for instance – one thing is certain for Mr. Kirk and others leading the expansion. —Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Sep. 2023

The specifics? Asante appeared in Auburn’s Week 2 game against San Jose State on Sept. 10, 2022 but didn’t record a single stat. —Ainslie Lee | [e-mail], al, 10 Sep. 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

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

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

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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