Synonyms

specify

American

[spes-uh-fahy] / ˈspɛs əˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

to mention or name specifically or definitely; state in detail.

He did not specify the amount needed.

Synonyms:

stipulate, enumerate, indicate, detail
to give a specific character to.
to set forth as a specification.
to name or state as a condition.

He specified that he be given my power of attorney.

verb (used without object)

to make a specific mention or statement.

specify British

/ ˈspɛsɪfɪˌkeɪtɪv, ˈspɛsɪˌfaɪ /

verb

to refer to or state specifically
to state as a condition
to state or include in the specification of

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of specify

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English specyfyen, from Old French specifier, from Medieval Latin specificāre “to describe, mention particularly,” from specific(us) specific + āre, infinitive verb suffix

Explanation

To explicitly name something or state a particular detail, you specify that thing. So, when you have a craving for dessert and you send someone to the store to buy ice cream, you may want to specify a flavor. If you assign something for a particular purpose, this verb means that you specify. Your parents can specify for safety's sake that you can only ride your bicycle on the sidewalk and not on the street. Another use of the verb specify is to give a set of requirements. If you have your grandmother's old recipe for snickerdoodle cookies, you may wonder what the recipe means when it specifies that you should add "a smidgen of molasses."

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Vocabulary lists containing specify

Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In response to detailed questions, a spokesperson for America First Refining said, “The claims in this story are false,” but declined to specify what they were referring to.

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2026

In announcing its initial tiny home plan in January, the VA said funds would come from a 2025 appropriation but did not specify the amount.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

It did not specify who was behind the attacks and noted that the ships do not belong to Azerbaijan.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

Warsh didn’t specify which trimmed mean he had in mind.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

Some of the websites don’t even list the prices—like they’re afraid to specify how much the things cost.

From "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023