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Showing results for specificity. Search instead for monospecificity.
Synonyms

specificity

American  
[spes-uh-fis-i-tee] / ˌspɛs əˈfɪs ɪ ti /

noun

  1. the quality or state of being specific.

  2. Biochemistry, Pharmacology. the selective attachment or influence of one substance on another, as an antibiotic and its target organism or an antibody and its specific antigen.

Other Word Forms

  • nonspecificity noun

Etymology

Origin of specificity

First recorded in 1875–80; specific + -ity

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 an AI search engine, the average length is 40 to 60 words. So, you're talking about an order of magnitude of specificity change."

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

If you want a little more specificity as you move through these steps, keep it simple.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

"This is a very positive signal -- we now know it's possible to exploit this specificity to target certain cancer cells," says Jean-Claude Martinou.

From Science Daily • Mar. 12, 2026

What her books lack in character diversity, they make up for in specificity.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

Milkman used to wonder at her specificity and her acquisitiveness until he reminded himself that Pilate and Reba celebrated no holidays.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.