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
Fiction, meanwhile, can upturn such collective attitudes by conveying the specificity of actual working lives and workplaces, recognizing that even the most monotonous labor can shape the self.
—
Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
But North of North draws strength from the specificity of its unusual-for-TV setting.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
This action — a mistake or incompetence, take your pick — risks disseminating important information, jaw-dropping in its specificity, to our enemies, and could perhaps endanger American lives.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025
Jesse imagining the women ruining the mattress topper with her squirting is an example of the specificity of great writing.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for specificity
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Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
But North of North draws strength from the specificity of its unusual-for-TV setting.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
This action — a mistake or incompetence, take your pick — risks disseminating important information, jaw-dropping in its specificity, to our enemies, and could perhaps endanger American lives.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025
Jesse imagining the women ruining the mattress topper with her squirting is an example of the specificity of great writing.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for specificity
Cite this Entry
“Specificity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specificity. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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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