definitions

spec

[ spek ]
/ spɛk /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR spec ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Usually specs. specification(def 2).
speculation.

adjective

built, done, bought, etc., as a speculation: the construction of spec houses.

verb (used with object), spec'd or specked or specced, spec'·ing or speck·ing or spec·cing.

to provide specifications for: Their newest truck was spec'd by a computer.

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RELATED WORDS

speculate, gamble, play, plunge, dare, hazard, venture, shoot, set, pledge, lay, stake, chance, game, adventure, hedge, parlay, risk, hustle, spec

Nearby words

spearman's rank-order coefficient, spearmint, spearpoint, spears, spearwort, spec, spec sheet, spec., speccy, special, special act

Idioms

    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.

Origin of spec

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; by shortening
Related formsspec·’er, speck·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for spec'ing

spec

/ (spɛk) informal /

noun

on spec as a speculation or gambleall the tickets were sold so I went to the theatre on spec

adjective

(prenominal) Australian and NZ speculativea spec developer

Word Origin for spec

C19: short for speculation or speculative
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

Word Origin and History for spec'ing

spec

n.

short for specification, 1956. Related: Specs.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with spec'ing

spec

see on spec.

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