specific
Noun pluralspecifics
Pluralspecifics
- 1Belonging to or meant for only one particular thing or group.
This wrench is specific to one size of bolt.
These rules are specific to our school. Other schools have their own.
UsageSay specific to: this tool is specific to one bolt.
Similarunique, exclusive, peculiar, particular
- 2Clearly stated and exact, not vague or general.
Like pointing to one exact seat instead of saying 'somewhere in the room.'
Can you give me a specific time to meet?
She had a specific reason for leaving early.
UsageSay be specific about it. Specific means exact; special means unusual or important.
Similarprecise, exact, explicit, detailed, particular
- 3The exact facts and details about something.
Give me the specifics of what happened.
We need more specifics before we agree to the deal.
UsageSay the specifics of something. For one thing, say a detail.
Similardetail, particular, specification
Oppositegenerality
- 4Having to do with a single kind of living thing (a species).
Lions and tigers share the genus name Panthera, but each has its own specific name.
Each kind of beetle gets its own specific name in Latin.
Oppositegeneric
Note
- 5In science, describing an amount measured for each unit of mass, or compared with a standard, as in 'specific heat'.
Like price per pound: an amount measured for each unit of weight.
Specific energy tells you the energy in each kilogram.
Water has a high specific heat, so it warms up slowly.
Note
Less common meanings
- 6Able to show one particular thing, often an illness, with little chance of a mistake.
This test is specific to one kind of infection.
The doctor found a sign so specific that it could only mean measles.
Note
- 7Working with just one kind of antibody or antigen.
Each antibody is specific to one germ.
The body makes cells that are specific to a single virus.
Note
- 8Of a medicine, working against one certain illness itself, not just easing how it feels.
Once the tests showed which germ it was, the doctor started specific treatment instead of just bringing down the fever.
They wanted a specific cure, not just something for the symptoms.
Similarcurative
Oppositepalliative, symptomatic
Note
- 9A medicine that works against one particular illness.
A compound of spurge, cardamom, cinnamon of Mecca, pellitory, ginger, nettle seed is an Arab specific for sexual weakness.
1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of AphrodisiacsUsageSay a specific for an illness.
Note
- 10A quality that makes something different from others.
Similarcharacteristic, attribute, trait, feature, quality
- 11The part of a place name that makes it different from others.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Latin species meaning "kind," which gave Late Latin specificus and Old French specifique.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Latin species means "kind." en.wiktionary.org
- Late Latin specificus derives from Latin species. en.wiktionary.org
- Old French specifique derives from Late Latin specificus and is the source of English specific. en.wiktionary.org