specific

1 of 3

adjective

spe·​cif·​ic spi-ˈsi-fik How to pronounce specific (audio)
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 independenceTime

-specific

3 of 3

combining form

: relating or applying specifically to or intended specifically for
gender-specific
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
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Some concern over Tesla involves the company’s performance, while others are specific to Musk, who is spending much of his time in Washington D.C Consumers are also growing worried about the impact of Trump’s tariffs on the economy. Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025 Mario Tama/Getty Images Job cuts impact the visitor experience The NPS has not publicly confirmed the number or types of jobs lost at specific national parks, nor responded to NPR's requests for comment. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
For example, instead of fixating on the specifics of an algorithm, focus on how the AI solution will achieve a specific business objective, such as reducing processing times by 20% or improving customer satisfaction scores. Navdeep Malik, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 Dye to develop the specifics of the project, including what would go on the signs and where they would be placed, along with securing funding. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for specific

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of specific was circa 1631

Browse Nearby Entries

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Specific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specific. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

specific

1 of 2 adjective
spe·​cif·​ic spi-ˈsif-ik How to pronounce specific (audio)
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 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 How to pronounce specific (audio)
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 How to pronounce specific (audio)
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 adverb
specificity noun

More from Merriam-Webster on specific

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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