specific
1 of 3adjective
spe·cif·ic spi-ˈsi-fik 
1
a
: constituting or falling into a specifiable category
b
: sharing or being those properties of something that allow it to be referred to a particular category
2
a
: restricted to a particular individual, situation, relation, or effect
a disease specific to horses
b
: exerting a distinctive influence (as on a body part or a disease)
specific antibodies
3
: free from ambiguity : accurate
a specific statement of faith
4
: of, relating to, or constituting a species and especially a biological species
5
a
: being any of various arbitrary physical constants and especially one relating a quantitative attribute to unit mass, volume, or area
b
: imposed at a fixed rate per unit (as of weight or count)
specific import duties
compare ad valorem specific
2 of 3noun
1
a
: something peculiarly adapted to a purpose or use
b
: a drug or remedy having a specific mitigating effect on a disease
used as a specific against malaria
2
a
: a characteristic quality or trait
b
: details, particulars —usually used in plural
haggling over the legal and financial specifics of independence — Time
c
specifics plural : specification sense 2a
-specific
3 of 3combining form
: relating or applying specifically to or intended specifically for
gender-specific
Synonyms
Adjective
- concrete
- distinct
- especial
- express
- peculiar
- precise
- set
- special
Noun
- cure
- drug
- medicament
- medication
- medicinal
- medicine
- pharmaceutical
- physic
- remedy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective Is there anything specific you want for dinner? There is a specific word for this kind of feeling. a bird species that requires a specific environment We were each given a specific topic to talk about. The doctor gave the patient specific instructions on how to care for the wound. Can you be more specific? What exactly did the policeman say? He gave her a ring—or, to be more specific, he gave her an engagement ring. She was very specific—you have to use a certain kind of tomato in the sauce. an education plan specific to each student's interests and abilities problems specific to this one housing project Noun quinine is a specific for malaria although the speech was long on rhetoric and platitudinous generalities, it lacked specifics See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Samantha Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2022 In recent weeks, Pfizer and Moderna have released Omicron-specific boosters in a bid to control the spread of the variant. Grady Mcgregor, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2022 Also, consider a cruise-specific travel insurance policy like Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's WaveCare, which offers up to $750,000 in emergency medical evacuation benefits. Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2022 Is there something specific about women that equips us particularly well for the kind of legal work that addresses these questions? Kate Tuttle, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2022 It’s what Black Female Founders has done for the African-American community by taking into account group-specific vulnerabilities. Jacob Mathison, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2022 Then there are attachments such as barrels, lasers, stocks and receivers that are platform-specific. Jonathan Lee, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2022 Then another 911 call came in directing officers to a specific location – Brighton 6th Street and Riegelmann Boardwalk in nearby Brighton Beach. Mark Morales And Ray Sanchez, CNN, 14 Sep. 2022 Glorioso said the licensing house for the play is also very specific about certain music and songs which must be included, as dictated by the script. Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2022 Laura Johnston, cleveland, 18 Aug. 2022 At the other end of some harmonious character lines, the sedan’s rear lower valance is also EV specific, due to the absence of dual exhaust pipes. Dan Neil, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 The fact that this book about two Jewish boys grappling with their religious identities and self-determination in postwar Brooklyn became a must-read for kids everywhere from New York to Honolulu is proof that the universal is found in the specific. New York Times, 30 June 2022 Roar‘s reach for the universal comes at the cost of the specific. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2022 Having previously turned movement into an ideal, almost abstract form, Yeoh is now bringing it back to the specific — a particular aging, female, Asian body housing a human being with complex emotions. New York Times, 15 Mar. 2022 Jepsen’s great trick is invoking the communal over the specific. New York Times, 14 Mar. 2022 The history is the specific to time and place elements. oregonlive, 9 Feb. 2022 But her smaller-scale series showcase even better Winfrey’s gift for breaking down the boundaries between the elites and the masses and for locating the universal in the specific or even the exceptional. Washington Post, 31 Dec. 2021 See More
Adjective
The pet-specific version consists of an odor neutralizer that reduces smells from accidents or litter boxes and a True HEPA filter that relieves allergy symptoms by capturing 99.99% of particles bigger than 0.1 microns. Samantha Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2022 In recent weeks, Pfizer and Moderna have released Omicron-specific boosters in a bid to control the spread of the variant. Grady Mcgregor, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2022 Also, consider a cruise-specific travel insurance policy like Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection's WaveCare, which offers up to $750,000 in emergency medical evacuation benefits. Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2022 Is there something specific about women that equips us particularly well for the kind of legal work that addresses these questions? Kate Tuttle, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2022 It’s what Black Female Founders has done for the African-American community by taking into account group-specific vulnerabilities. Jacob Mathison, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2022 Then there are attachments such as barrels, lasers, stocks and receivers that are platform-specific. Jonathan Lee, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2022 Then another 911 call came in directing officers to a specific location – Brighton 6th Street and Riegelmann Boardwalk in nearby Brighton Beach. Mark Morales And Ray Sanchez, CNN, 14 Sep. 2022 Glorioso said the licensing house for the play is also very specific about certain music and songs which must be included, as dictated by the script. Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2022 Noun
Obviously there’s nothing [00:20:00] specific targeted in this. Laura Johnston, cleveland, 18 Aug. 2022 At the other end of some harmonious character lines, the sedan’s rear lower valance is also EV specific, due to the absence of dual exhaust pipes. Dan Neil, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 The fact that this book about two Jewish boys grappling with their religious identities and self-determination in postwar Brooklyn became a must-read for kids everywhere from New York to Honolulu is proof that the universal is found in the specific. New York Times, 30 June 2022 Roar‘s reach for the universal comes at the cost of the specific. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2022 Having previously turned movement into an ideal, almost abstract form, Yeoh is now bringing it back to the specific — a particular aging, female, Asian body housing a human being with complex emotions. New York Times, 15 Mar. 2022 Jepsen’s great trick is invoking the communal over the specific. New York Times, 14 Mar. 2022 The history is the specific to time and place elements. oregonlive, 9 Feb. 2022 But her smaller-scale series showcase even better Winfrey’s gift for breaking down the boundaries between the elites and the masses and for locating the universal in the specific or even the exceptional. Washington Post, 31 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Combining form
Late Latin specificus, from Latin species
First Known Use
Adjective
circa 1631, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing specific
Kids Definition
specific
adjective
spe·cif·ic spi-ˈsi-fik
1
: relating to or being an example of a certain kind of thing
a specific case
2
: relating to a particular individual or situation
There are problems specific to this project.
3
: clearly and exactly presented or stated
specific directions
Medical Definition
specific 1 of 2
adjective
spe·cif·ic spi-ˈsif-ik
1
a
: restricted by nature to a particular individual, situation, relation, or effect
a disease specific to horses
b
: exerting a distinctive influence (as on a body part or a disease)
specific antibodies
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a species and especially a biological species
specific
2 of 2noun
: a drug or remedy having a specific mitigating effect on a disease
Legal Definition
specific
adjective
spe·cif·ic spə-ˈsi-fik
1
: relating to a particular thing
2
: intended for or restricted to a particular end or object
3
: being of a particularly identified kind or nature
specific 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in special
of a particular or exact sort we need a specific type of pen to sign the diplomas Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- special
- precise
- distinct
- set
- specialized
- sole
- concrete
- express
- individual
- peculiar
- distinctive
- unique
- specified
- only
- limited
- single
- especial
- restricted
- separate
- given
- exclusive
- differentiated
- solitary
- lone
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nonspecific
- general
- generic
- generalized
- universal
- nonexclusive
2
as in explicit
so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning specific instructions regarding the interrogation of prisoners Synonyms & Similar Words
- explicit
- definite
- express
- definitive
- specified
- unambiguous
- unmistakable
- comprehensive
- unequivocal
- literal
- precise
- complete
- certain
- stated
- full
- simple
- clear-cut
- univocal
- distinct
- clear
- exact
- categorical
- comprehensible
- exhaustive
- direct
- avowed
- well-defined
- declared
- sure
- understandable
- categoric
- straightforward
- lucid
- intelligible
- plain
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- implicit
- inferred
- obscure
- unclear
- ambiguous
- implied
- dark
- cryptic
- enigmatic
- vague
- incorrect
- imprecise
- inaccurate
- inexact
- circuitous
- indefinite
- unspecific
- enigmatical
- incomprehensible
- equivocal
- unintelligible
- inexplicit
specific
2 of 2noun
1
as in drug
a substance or preparation used to treat disease quinine is a specific for malaria Synonyms & Similar Words
- drug
- remedy
- medication
- medicine
- medicinal
- cure
- pharmaceutical
- prescription
- physic
- antibiotic
- medicament
- botanical
- potion
- pill
- prescription drug
- tonic
- panacea
- miracle drug
- injection
- patent medicine
- wonder drug
- nostrum
- serum
- tablet
- cordial
- syrup
- cap
- cure-all
- lotion
- capsule
- salve
- ointment
- antiseptic
- cathartic
- tincture
- liniment
- purgative
- shot
- poultice
- embrocation
- sirup
2
as in fact
a single piece of information although the speech was long on rhetoric and platitudinous generalities, it lacked specifics Synonyms & Similar Words
- fact
- detail
- particular
- article
- item
- particularity
- element
- point
- part
- information
- datum
- component
- factor
- nicety
- aspect
- circumstance
- evidence
- ingredient
- constituent
- member
- knowledge
- facet
- database
- exhibit
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- misconception
- error
- fallacy
- myth
- inaccuracy
- falsehood
- misstatement
3
as in characteristic
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind the two submissions differ only in certain specifics Synonyms & Similar Words
- characteristic
- feature
- quality
- attribute
- trait
- attribution
- criterion
- diagnostic
- particularity
- hallmark
- property
- peculiarity
- mark
- marker
- indication
- character
- touch
- affection
- point
- note
- fingerprint
- stamp
- symbol
- differentia
- sign
- token
- merit
- emblem
- uniqueness
- virtue
- badge
- excellence
- quirk
- grace
- idiosyncrasy
- individuality
- charm
- singularity
- oddity
- eccentricity
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of specific are especial, individual, particular, and special. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.
children with specific nutritional needs
The words especial and specific can be used in similar contexts, but especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.
a matter of especial importance
While the synonyms individual and specific are close in meaning, individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.
valued each individual opinion
The synonyms particular and specific are sometimes interchangeable, but particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.
a ballet step of particular difficulty
In some situations, the words special and specific are roughly equivalent. However, special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.
special ingredients
- get with the times
- get wrong
- get your ass back here
- get your oar in
- get-go
- get-goes
- get-of-sire
- get-together
- get-togethers
- get-tough
- get-up-and-go
- get/be caught in a storm
- get/be shot of
- get/catch some sun
- get/find one's bearings
- get/go back to (the) basics
- get/go back to nature
- get/have a handle on
- get/have a line on
- get/have an eyeful
- get/have one's wires crossed
- get/have the wind up
- get/have/gain a/the jump on
- get/have/make a late start
- get/lay one's hands on