spec

[ spek ]

/ spɛk /

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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: The custom turbocharger was spec'd by our mechanic.

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"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

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Idioms about spec

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

OTHER WORDS FROM spec

spec’·er, speck·er, noun

Other definitions for spec (2 of 2)

spec.

abbreviation

special.

specially.

specifically.

specification.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use spec in a sentence

Anyway, Hurley magically built a career from it, and is still smiling and siren-ing.
Happy 20th Birthday, Liz Hurley’s Safety-Pin Dress|Tim Teeman|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
(Or as Gehry framed it in the Sketches documentary: “mak[ing] beauty with junk”).
Frank Gehry Is Architecture’s Mad Genius|Sarah Moroz|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is about “demonstrat[ing] to the public—in real time—that Congress is on the job.”
Colleges Lawyer Up Before Claire McCaskill Rape Inquiry|Emily Shire|June 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On "Only in Dreams," he worried about "crush[ing]" his dream girl's "pretty toenails into a thousand pieces" while they danced.
Remembering Weezer’s ‘The Blue Album,’ A Garage Rock Classic, on Its 20th Anniversary|Andrew Romano|May 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In addition to the medical-insurance criteria, 15 points are awarded for “positively engag[ing] the External LGBT Community.”
The Arbitrary Way Companies Are Labeled 'Anti-Gay'|Emily Shire|April 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A gentleman of the bar remarked that he could see no impropriety in a man and his wife a-door-ing each other.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
I sees you pitchin' eberyt'ing away; I jes put this jug in hyar, 'ca'se I 'lowed you'd want some.
Famous Adventures And Prison Escapes of the Civil War|Various
"The whole thing looks like being a damned bad spec," the Syndicate grumbled.
Mushroom Town|Oliver Onions
Madame Bill near fell off her chair with surprise, and began ha-ha-ing melodious.
The Belted Seas|Arthur Colton
Moung Ing then went in search of Mr. Judson; and it was nearly dark when he found him in the interior of an obscure prison.
Fox's Book of Martyrs|John Foxe

British Dictionary definitions for spec (1 of 2)

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

British Dictionary definitions for spec (2 of 2)

spec.

abbreviation for

specification

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with spec

spec

see on spec.

spec

Idioms about spec

Origin of spec

OTHER WORDS FROM spec

Other definitions for spec (2 of 2)

Words related to spec

How to use spec in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for spec (1 of 2)

Word Origin for spec

British Dictionary definitions for spec (2 of 2)

Other Idioms and Phrases with spec