WordGarden.iospecific
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /spəsˈɪfɪk/
US
- /spəˈsɪfɪk/
Meanings
Adjective
clearly defined, exact, or limited to a particular thing rather than general
uniquely related to or affecting a particular species, disease, target, or condition
Beyond the definition
When something is specific, it's not general or vague—it's detailed and focused on one particular thing. If your doctor asks about your symptoms, they want specific details, like "a sharp pain in my lower back" instead of just "I feel sick." Think of a detective looking for clues; they need to be specific about what they're searching for to solve the case! It's the opposite of broad or general. You might have a specific goal in mind, like learning to play the guitar, rather than just wanting to "learn something new."
The word specific describes something that is clearly defined and relates to a particular instance, detail, or thing. It's about precision and avoiding ambiguity. Imagine you're ordering pizza—saying "I want a pizza" isn't very helpful. But saying "I want a large pepperoni pizza with extra cheese" is specific.
Specific can be used in many contexts. In science, it refers to something that acts only on certain substances or targets. A specific antibody binds to a particular target. In law, a specific clause in a contract outlines a precise agreement. And in everyday life, we use it to emphasize clarity and detail.
Think of it like zooming in with a camera—you start with a wide view (general) and then focus on a single point (specific). If someone asks for specific examples, they want concrete illustrations rather than abstract ideas. If you have a specific fear, it's not just "fear" but something defined like "a fear of spiders" or "a fear of heights."
So, when you need to be clear, precise, and focused on the details—that's when you reach for the word specific. It's about narrowing down from the general to the particular, ensuring there's no room for misunderstanding.
Examples
- 1
Instructions
The teacher gave us specific instructions for the project.
- 2
Clarification
Can you be more specific about what you need?
- Patternbe specific about + topic
give clearer details about it
- 3
Scheduling
We need a specific time for the meeting, not just "later."
- 4
Browsing
I'm not looking for anything specific; I'm just browsing.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Particular person
She didn't mention anyone by name, but she seemed to have a specific person in mind.
- Phrasehave someone in mind
be thinking about a particular person
- 6
Local rules
Some of these rules are specific to this building.
- Patternspecific to + thing/place/group
connected only with that thing, place, or group
- 7
Reason
Do you have any specific reason for saying no?
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- specificnounadjective
Forms
- specificspluralnounadjective