specifyverb [ T ]
uk/ˈspes.ɪ.faɪ/us/ˈspes.ə.faɪ/B2 to explain or describe something clearly and exactly:
He said we should meet but didn't specify a time.
The peace treaty clearly specifies the terms for the withdrawal of troops.
[ + question word ] The newspaper report did not specify how the men were killed.
[ + (that) ] My contract specifies (that) I must give a month's notice if I leave my job.
The loan must be repaid within a specified period/by a specified date.
More examples
- Please specify the dimensions of the room.
- For a monthly flat fee, paid by the consumer or employer, HMOs provide a specified list of medical services both in and outside the hospital.
- He didn't specify exactly which documents he needed.
- The contract specifies that a penalty fee is to be paid if the work is late.
- I need you to specify the materials you need.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Elaborating, specifying and simplifying
- broaden
- complicate
- depth
- detail
- dilate
- dilate on/upon sth
- dumb
- enlarge on/upon sth
- expand
- expand on sth
- expansive
- expatiate
- flesh
- flesh sth out
- oversimplify
- predigested
- reductive
- simplify
- spec
- split
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