specify

[ spes-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, spec·i·fied, spec·i·fy·ing.

1. to mention or name specifically or definitely; state in detail:

   He did not specify the amount needed.

   Synonyms: stipulate, enumerate, indicate, detail

2. to give a specific character to.
3. to set forth as a specification.
4. to name or state as a condition:

   He specified that he be given my power of attorney.

verb (used without object)

, spec·i·fied, spec·i·fy·ing.

1. to make a specific mention or statement.

specify

/ ˈspɛsɪfɪˌkeɪtɪv; ˈspɛsɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to refer to or state specifically
2. to state as a condition
3. to state or include in the specification of

Derived Forms

• specificative, adjective
• ˈspeciˌfier, noun

Other Words From

• spec·i·fi·ca·tive [spes, -, uh, -fi-key-tiv], adjective
• speci·fi·cative·ly adverb
• speci·fier noun
• mis·speci·fied adjective
• non·speci·fied adjective
• pre·speci·fy verb (used with object) prespecified prespecifying
• re·speci·fy verb respecified respecifying
• under·speci·fied adjective
• under·speci·fy verb (used with object) underspecified underspecifying
• un·speci·fied adjective
• un·speci·fying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of specify¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English specyfyen, from Old French specifier, from Medieval Latin specificāre “to describe, mention particularly,” from specific(us) specific + āre, infinitive verb suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of specify¹

C13: from Medieval Latin specificāre to describe

Example Sentences

The bags of organic whole carrots contained no best-if-used-by-dates, the CDC specified.

From Salon

Ukraine’s military earlier confirmed that it had struck an ammunition warehouse in the Russian region of Bryansk, but it did not specify whether Atacms were used.

From BBC

To apply, a person must show a letter issued by a government agency naming the worker’s employers as the subject of an investigation and that specifies the period covered by the inquiry.

From Los Angeles Times

Hemp missed City's past two matches, including Saturday's 2-0 defeat by title rivals Chelsea, but the club has not specified the nature of the injury or how long she will be out.

From BBC

It also told developers that from 3 December, Roblox game creators would need to specify whether their games are suitable for children and block games for under-13s that do not provide this information.

From BBC

Related Words

• cite
• define
• determine
• enumerate
• establish
• fix
• indicate
• lay out
• limit
• mention
• point out
• spell out
• stipulate