specificity

American  

[spes-uh-fis-i-tee] / ˌspɛs əˈfɪs ɪ ti /

noun

1. the quality or state of being specific.

2. Biochemistry, Pharmacology. the selective attachment or influence of one substance on another, as an antibiotic and its target organism or an antibody and its specific antigen.

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Other Word Forms

• nonspecificity noun

Etymology

Origin of specificity

First recorded in 1875–80; specific + -ity

Example Sentences

Sometimes you have to ask for what you want multiple times, with increasing specificity, even when the question is: What should I learn about AI to do my job better?

From The Wall Street Journal

They reflect a growing appetite for specificity — and for the stories behind food.

From Salon

“We believe that for all creation, product and images, our touchpoint, our specificity, is to use incredible designers who bring their point of view,” Pavlovsky said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Though she hasn’t had a film role of this size in well over a decade, Paltrow still performs with the care and specificity of an actor who truly cares for the work.

From Salon

And the third section highlights individuals who, like locations, represent the sundry specificities of the nation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• particularity
• precision