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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.

Meritage, an Arizona-based builder with a roughly $4.8 billion market cap, stands out by building entirely speculative, or spec, homes, which are constructed before a buyer signs a contract.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

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

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

DaCosta: I wrote it on spec, so I wasn’t thinking about anything besides letting my freak flag fly, basically.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2025

“They sure is,” I say and I spec we bout shared us a moment, me and Miss Leefolt, looking out the window at the kids we both love.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

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.