specific

[ spi-sif-ik ]

/ spɪˈsɪf ɪk /

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See synonyms for: specific / specifics / specifically on Thesaurus.com

adjective

having a special application, bearing, or reference; specifying, explicit, or definite: to state one's specific purpose.

specified, precise, or particular: a specific sum of money.

peculiar or proper to somebody or something, as qualities, characteristics, effects, etc.: His specific problems got him into trouble.

of a special or particular kind.

concerned specifically with the item or subject named (used in combination): The Secretary addressed himself to crop-specific problems.

Biology. of or relating to a species: specific characters.

Medicine/Medical.

(of a disease) produced by a special cause or infection.
(of a remedy) having special effect in the prevention or cure of a certain disease.

Immunology. (of an antibody or antigen) having a particular effect on only one antibody or antigen or affecting it in only one way.

Commerce. noting customs or duties levied in fixed amounts per unit, as number, weight, or volume.

Physics.

designating a physical constant that, for a particular substance, is expressed as the ratio of the quantity in the substance to the quantity in an equal volume of a standard substance, as water or air.
designating a physical constant that expresses a property or effect as a quantity per unit length, area, volume, or mass.

noun

something specific, as a statement, quality, detail, etc.

Medicine/Medical. a specific remedy: There is no specific for the common cold.

OPPOSITES FOR specific

2 vague.

See antonyms for specific on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of specific

1625–35; <Medieval Latin specificus, equivalent to Latin speci(ēs) species + -ficus-fic

synonym study for specific

1. See special.

OTHER WORDS FROM specific

spe·cif·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·spe·cif·i·cal·ly, adverbpre·spe·cif·ic, adjectivepre·spe·cif·i·cal·ly, adverb

un·spe·cif·ic, adjectiveun·spe·cif·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use specific in a sentence

Both sides said the meeting went well but offered few specifics.
De Blasio and the New York City Protesters Have No Blood on Their Hands|Jacob Siegel|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even when pressed, the department has been less than forthcoming with specifics on police shootings in the city.
Chicago’s Cops Don’t Even Get Investigated for Shooting People in the Back|Justin Glawe|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the specifics of “sex” were, and in many states still are, loosely defined.
Whip It: Secrets of a Dominatrix|Justin Jones|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He sticks only to specifics—the dates of operations, the number of people killed on both sides, even the number of bullets fired.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley|Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The whole picture does not include a whole lot of specifics.
Rand Paul Channels Malala to Bash Obama|Olivia Nuzzi|October 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He had mastered the trick of making universals sound like specifics.
Sense from Thought Divide|Mark Irvin Clifton
Alas, yes; although I tried to keep him up, giving him specifics and carminatives and bleeding him once.
Under the Rose|Frederic Stewart Isham
Before giving it up as insoluble we should make full proof of these homely specifics.
Appletons' Popular Science Monthly, July 1899|Various
The idea of specifics in medicine has to a large extent disappeared.
Psychotherapy|James J. Walsh
In Japan the stones are accounted of medicinal value, while in Burma and Assam they are infallible specifics for ophthalmia.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5|Various

British Dictionary definitions for specific

specific

/ (spɪˈsɪfɪk) /

adjective

explicit, particular, or definiteplease be more specific

relating to a specified or particular thinga specific treatment for arthritis

of or relating to a biological speciesspecific differences

(of a disease) caused by a particular pathogenic agent

physics

characteristic of a property of a particular substance, esp in relation to the same property of a standard reference substancespecific gravity
characteristic of a property of a particular substance per unit mass, length, area, volume, etcspecific heat
(of an extensive physical quantity) divided by massspecific heat capacity; specific volume

Also (rare): specifical commerce denoting a tariff levied at a fixed sum per unit of weight, quantity, volume, etc, irrespective of value

noun

(sometimes plural) a designated quality, thing, etc

med any drug used to treat a particular disease

Derived forms of specific

specifically, adverbspecificity (ˌspɛsɪˈfɪsɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for specific

C17: from Medieval Latin specificus, from Latin species

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

Medical definitions for specific

specific

[ spĭ-sĭf′ĭk ]

adj.

Relating to, characterizing, or distinguishing a species.

Intended for, applying to, or acting on a specified thing.

Designating a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition.

Having a remedial influence or effect on a particular disease.

In immunology, having an affinity limited to a particular antibody or antigen.

A remedy intended for a particular ailment or disorder.

Other words from specific

spe•cif′i•cal•ly adv.

specific

OPPOSITES FOR specific

Origin of specific

synonym study for specific

OTHER WORDS FROM specific

Words related to specific

How to use specific in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for specific

Derived forms of specific

Word Origin for specific

Medical definitions for specific

Other words from specific