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
And the diversity and specificity of nuance of which his body is capable, after more than thirty-five years of professional dancing, are amazing. . . .
—
Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
The main leap forward is the approach to vocals, which connect rap’s penchant for melody in syncopation, Swift-pop’s flair for sassy specificity, and electronic music’s insistence that production—filters, beats, samples—is songwriting.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024
There’s nothing wrong with a scene like this, really, but there’s a weird lack of specificity to it outside Lynelle Perry’s comment about wearing her tightest skirt today for John.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2024
Effective goal-setting involves specificity, measurability and timeliness, ensuring that each goal is not just a wish but a blueprint for action.
—Kenzie Biggins, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for specificity 
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Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
The main leap forward is the approach to vocals, which connect rap’s penchant for melody in syncopation, Swift-pop’s flair for sassy specificity, and electronic music’s insistence that production—filters, beats, samples—is songwriting.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024
There’s nothing wrong with a scene like this, really, but there’s a weird lack of specificity to it outside Lynelle Perry’s comment about wearing her tightest skirt today for John.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2024
Effective goal-setting involves specificity, measurability and timeliness, ensuring that each goal is not just a wish but a blueprint for action.
—Kenzie Biggins, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for specificity
Dictionary Entries Near specificity
Cite this Entry
“Specificity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specificity. Accessed 3 Jan. 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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