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Synonyms

spec

1 American  
[spek] / spɛk /

noun

  1. Usually specs specification.

  2. speculation.

adjective

  1. built, done, bought, etc., as a speculation.

    the construction of spec houses.

verb (used with object)

spec'd, specked, specced, spec'ing, specking, speccing

  1. to provide specifications for.

    The custom turbocharger was spec'd by our mechanic.

  2. (in a video game) to create or update (a character) by assigning attributes, skills, weapons, armor, and other items that affect the character’s powers, speed, strength, intelligence, etc..

    Do your research before you spec your character, because some builds are just not viable and this game does not allow you to re-spec.

idioms

  1. on spec, made, built, or done with hopes of but no assurance of payment or a sale; without commitment by a client or buyer.

    ad illustrations done on spec;

    luxury homes built on spec and sold before completion.
spec. 2 American  

abbreviation

  1. special.

  2. specially.

  3. specifically.

  4. specification.

spec. 1 British  

abbreviation

  1. specification

  2. speculation

"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
spec 2 British  
/ spɛk /

noun

  1. as a speculation or gamble

    all the tickets were sold so I went to the theatre on spec
"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

adjective

  1. (prenominal) speculative

    a spec developer
"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
spec More Idioms  

  1. see on spec.

Other Word Forms

  • specker noun
  • spec’er noun

Etymology

Origin of spec

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; by shortening

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.

A complication was that McLaren were not running the latest specification of Mercedes power-unit, so can expect an uplift when they switch in Australia to the latest spec.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

She tried sketch writing, late-night TV writing, spec writing, but she quickly learned she didn’t actually want to write sketches or late-night monologues.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 19, 2026

I’m also picking away at some spec scripts, because I’d love to write a movie that didn’t start as a book.

From Salon • Jan. 14, 2026

The military still lacks the multiyear funding to fully meet its production targets, prompting some officials to ask defense contractors to add more capacity on spec ahead of actual orders.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

The guy, a tall red-faced spec four with freckles and a shock of red hair, told me he would look her up and that I could leave my name and come by later.

From "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers

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.