specifically
Americanadverb
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in a definite or precise manner.
The suspect was not specifically named in the report. More specifically, you will be responsible for half the total cost.
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with an exact use or purpose in mind.
The manual is written specifically for nonexperts.
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with reference to qualities that are peculiar or proper to someone or something.
Our classes are specifically different from other yoga programs.
Etymology
Origin of specifically
First recorded in 1620–25; specific ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
Explanation
Specifically means particularly, or regarding one option out of several. You specifically requested that your birthday cake be chocolate with raspberry icing, so you were quite disappointed with the vanilla cake you were served instead. The adverb specifically comes from the Latin specificus, and shares a root with special and species. If you specifically choose something, you have made a special choice about it. If you single something out specifically, it's particularly significant. A documentary about this history of childhood might have been a real eye-opener, specifically the part about how kids used to go to work at 12 or younger.
Vocabulary lists containing specifically
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney
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Because of Winn-Dixie
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The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
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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.
"We specifically wanted to incorporate a neural network model into this study to evaluate how accurate the descriptors were at capturing key structural information, in a way that is like human cognition."
From Science Daily • Jul. 8, 2026
The spokesperson did not comment on whether it was specifically call-center employees whose roles were being eliminated, but highlighted the efficiency of its AI agent that provides roadside assistance in multiple languages around the clock.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 8, 2026
The VAR will look at how the attacking phase begins, specifically how possession was won.
From BBC • Jul. 7, 2026
The company has a range of frozen meals called Vital Pursuit specifically for people on weight-loss drugs, but not everyone is drawn to labeling that says something is “GLP-1 friendly.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 7, 2026
However, Grabarek, while not specifically promising to do anything to help blacks, did ask for the black vote in advertisements in the Carolina Times, a courtesy Carr did not extend.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
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.
