specify

[ spes-uh-fahy ]

/ ˈspɛs əˌfaɪ /

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See synonyms for: specify / specified / specifies / specifying on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), spec·i·fied, spec·i·fy·ing.

to mention or name specifically or definitely; state in detail: He did not specify the amount needed.

to give a specific character to.

to set forth as a specification.

to name or state as a condition: He specified that he be given my power of attorney.

verb (used without object), spec·i·fied, spec·i·fy·ing.

to make a specific mention or statement.

OTHER WORDS FOR specify

1 detail, indicate, enumerate, stipulate.

See synonyms for specify on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of specify

1250–1300; Middle English specyfyen<Old French specifier<Medieval Latin specificāre.See specific, -fy

OTHER WORDS FROM specify

spec·i·fi·ca·tive

[spes-uh-fi-key-tiv], /ˈspɛs ə fɪˌkeɪ tɪv/, adjectivespec·i·fi·ca·tive·ly, adverbspec·i·fi·er, nounmis·spec·i·fied, adjective

non·spec·i·fied, adjectivepre·spec·i·fy, verb (used with object), pre·spec·i·fied, pre·spec·i·fy·ing.re·spec·i·fy, verb, re·spec·i·fied, re·spec·i·fy·ing.un·der·spec·i·fied, adjectiveun·der·spec·i·fy, verb (used with object), un·der·spec·i·fied, un·der·spec·i·fy·ing.un·spec·i·fied, adjectiveun·spec·i·fy·ing, adjective

Words nearby specify

specific performance, specific phobia, specific resistance, specific viscosity, specific volume, specify, specimen, specimen plant, speciosity, specious, specious present

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use specify in a sentence

If you’re following a recipe and there’s a broiling step included, it should specify where in the oven to put your pan.
Don’t Fear the Broiler|Elazar Sontag|February 11, 2021|Eater
It has not specified what information the passport will contain, nor has it even issued a call for tenders yet.
Why Denmark’s “corona passport” is more of a promise than a plan|Bobbie Johnson|February 10, 2021|MIT Technology Review
However, this understates the true burden attributed to police because some towns didn’t specify how the total was divided among their employees.
How We Found Pricey Provisions in New Jersey Police Contracts|by Agnes Chang, Jeff Kao and Agnel Philip, ProPublica, and Andrew Ford, Asbury Park Press|February 8, 2021|ProPublica
Moor said he didn’t have a problem with officers receiving gold badges, but he felt the contract should specify a size and price.
How the Police Bank Millions Through Their Union Contracts|by Andrew Ford, Asbury Park Press, and Agnes Chang, Jeff Kao and Agnel Philip, ProPublica|February 8, 2021|ProPublica

However, the department has refused to specify what those changes might entail.
Hawaii’s Beaches Are Disappearing. New Legislation Could Help ... if It’s Enforced.|by Sophie Cocke, Honolulu Star-Advertiser|February 7, 2021|ProPublica
He declined to specify which details had raised this concern.
Fired From Los Alamos for Pushing Obama's Nuclear Agenda|Center for Public Integrity|July 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Carney declined to specify how the decision to indict Chinese officials publicly was coordinated with the White House.
#ShotsFired in U.S.-China Cyberwar|Jacob Siegel, Josh Rogin|May 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Miftakhov did not specify what ‘things’ were and (the officer) did not ask him to specify.
Pennsylvania Student Proves You Could Buy Ingredients for a WMD on Amazon|Michael Daly|January 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
People blindly following instructions may not realize they have microwaves with a wattage lower than the instructions specify.
Be Afraid of Your Food: An Epidemiologist’s Sensible Advice|Amanda Kludt|March 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But I would like to see someone specify how far we could cut.
How Much Can We Cut Defense?|Megan McArdle|January 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Yet he forebore to specify his injuries; saying, that to name them, would be to stigmatize the whole human race.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
There were plenty of ladylike things girls could do, she said, but did not give herself the trouble to specify.
Those Dale Girls|Frank Weston Carruth
I need only specify Miss Ross and friend, name unknown—to assure you of the high respectability of the assemblage.
Alone|Marion Harland
They did not specify the “it,” but they were quite convinced of the oddity.
The Mystery of a Turkish Bath|E.M. Gollan (AKA Rita)
In conclusion, since everybody likes to have a feast now and then, I specify that my diet regimen allows for holidays.
The Book of Life: Vol. I Mind and Body; Vol. II Love and Society|Upton Sinclair

British Dictionary definitions for specify

specify

/ (ˈspɛsɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr; may take a clause as object)

to refer to or state specifically

to state as a condition

to state or include in the specification of

Derived forms of specify

specificative (ˈspɛsɪfɪˌkeɪtɪv), adjectivespecifier, noun

Word Origin for specify

C13: from Medieval Latin specificāre to describe

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

specify

OTHER WORDS FOR specify

Origin of specify

OTHER WORDS FROM specify

Words nearby specify

Words related to specify

How to use specify in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for specify

Derived forms of specify

Word Origin for specify