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
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
Time
c
: relating or applying specifically to or intended specifically for
gender-specific
Synonyms
Examples of specific in a Sentence
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
Recent Examples on the Web
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
This mount holds the physical controls and connectors specific to each earcup, including a power button and USB-C port on the left and a four-way mini-joystick on the right.
—PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
Gaming the Debate The first question is how sensitive LLMs are to the specifics of their inputs and the structure of the argument.
—Stephen Ornes, Quanta Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for specific 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The provision for credit losses rose to $1.7 million, up from $100 thousand in the same period the previous year, primarily due to increases in specific reserves and projected unemployment rates.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
This mount holds the physical controls and connectors specific to each earcup, including a power button and USB-C port on the left and a four-way mini-joystick on the right.
—PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
Noun
There are a few specifics that make the Nao RL an ideal headlamp for running.
—Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
Gaming the Debate The first question is how sensitive LLMs are to the specifics of their inputs and the structure of the argument.
—Stephen Ornes, Quanta Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for specific
Dictionary Entries Near specific
Cite this Entry
“Specific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specific. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
specific
1 of 2 adjective
spe·cif·ic
spi-ˈsif-ik
1
: relating to or being an example of a certain kind of thing
a specific case
was the question specific or general?
2
a
: restricted to a particular individual, situation, effect, or reaction
a disease specific to humans
a specific enzyme
b
: having one particular effect or influence (as on a body part or a disease)
quinine is specific for malaria
3
: clearly and exactly presented or stated
gave them specific directions
4
: of, relating to, or being a species
specific
2 of 2 noun1
: something specially adapted to a purpose or use
especially
: a drug or remedy specific for a particular disease
2
plural
: things that are specific : details, particulars
get down to specifics
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 2 noun
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share