nonspecific

adjective

non·​spe·​cif·​ic ˌnän-spi-ˈsi-fik 

: not specific: such as

a

: lacking in detail or particulars

nonspecific answers

a nonspecific description

b

: not caused by a specific or identified agent

nonspecific enteritis

c

: not restricted to a particular category, situation, or group

nonspecific flu-like symptoms

d

: not affecting a particular region or part

nonspecific pain

e

: having a general purpose, effect, or action : lacking in specificity

nonspecific antiviral agents

nonspecific irritants

nonspecifically

ˌnän-spi-ˈsi-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

After a toxic protein is released into the bloodstream, it is taken up by macrophages, cells that nonspecifically scavenge and ingest various substances.

—Harald von Boehmer and Pawel Kisielow

Synonyms

• all-around
• all-round
• bird's-eye
• broad
• general
• overall

Examples of nonspecific in a Sentence

his criticism of the picture is fairly nonspecific, but he clearly doesn't like it

Recent Examples on the Web

The ballot language was nonspecific on how the money raised would be spent and did not specify that a big chunk of it would be used to build a 250-bed jail estimated to cost between $150 million to $250 million. —Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025

When to See a Healthcare Provider Hypogonadism can cause symptoms that are nonspecific, meaning they could be caused by and easily attributed to other conditions, including aging. —James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025

Other nonspecific signs that may be associated with asthma include decreased appetite and weight loss. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025

This is a nonspecific sign of inflammation, and it might be slightly elevated in hidradenitis suppurativa. —William Truswell, Verywell Health, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nonspecific

• calorific
• conspecific
• hieroglyphic
• honorific
• scientific
• soporific
• subspecific
• transpacific
• unspecific
• horrific
• pacific
• prolific

Medical Definition

nonspecific

adjective

non·​spe·​cif·​ic -spi-ˈsif-ik 

: not specific: as

a

: not caused by a specific or identified agent

nonspecific enteritis

b

: not restricted to a particular category, situation, or group

nonspecific flu-like symptoms

c

: not affecting a particular region or part

nonspecific pain

d

: having a general purpose, effect, or action

nonspecific antiviral agents

nonspecific irritants

nonspecifically

-ˈsif-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb