specific

[ spi-sif-ik ]

adjective

1. having a special application, bearing, or reference; specifying, explicit, or definite:

   to state one's specific purpose.

2. specified, precise, or particular:

   a specific sum of money.

   Antonyms: vague

3. peculiar or proper to somebody or something, as qualities, characteristics, effects, etc.:

   His specific problems got him into trouble.

4. of a special or particular kind.
5. concerned specifically with the item or subject named (used in combination):

   The Secretary addressed himself to crop-specific problems.

6. Biology. of or relating to a species:

   specific characters.

7. Medicine/Medical.
   1. (of a disease) produced by a special cause or infection.
   2. (of a remedy) having special effect in the prevention or cure of a certain disease.
8. Immunology. (of an antibody or antigen) having a particular effect on only one antibody or antigen or affecting it in only one way.
9. Commerce. noting customs or duties levied in fixed amounts per unit, as number, weight, or volume.
10. Physics.
    1. designating a physical constant that, for a particular substance, is expressed as the ratio of the quantity in the substance to the quantity in an equal volume of a standard substance, as water or air.
    2. designating a physical constant that expresses a property or effect as a quantity per unit length, area, volume, or mass.

noun

1. something specific, as a statement, quality, detail, etc.
2. Medicine/Medical. a specific remedy:

   There is no specific for the common cold.

specific

/ spɪˈsɪfɪk; ˌspɛsɪˈfɪsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. explicit, particular, or definite

   please be more specific

2. relating to a specified or particular thing

   a specific treatment for arthritis

3. of or relating to a biological species

   specific differences

4. (of a disease) caused by a particular pathogenic agent
5. physics
   1. characteristic of a property of a particular substance, esp in relation to the same property of a standard reference substance

      specific gravity

   2. characteristic of a property of a particular substance per unit mass, length, area, volume, etc

      specific heat

   3. (of an extensive physical quantity) divided by mass

      specific volume

      specific heat capacity

6. Also (rare)specifical commerce denoting a tariff levied at a fixed sum per unit of weight, quantity, volume, etc, irrespective of value

noun

1. sometimes plural a designated quality, thing, etc
2. med any drug used to treat a particular disease

Derived Forms

• speˈcifically, adverb
• specificity, noun

Other Words From

• spe·cifi·cal·ly adverb
• nonspe·cifi·cal·ly adverb
• prespe·cific adjective
• prespe·cifi·cal·ly adverb
• unspe·cific adjective
• unspe·cifi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of specific¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Medieval Latin specificus, equivalent to Latin speci(ēs) species + -ficus -fic

Word History and Origins

Origin of specific¹

C17: from Medieval Latin specificus, from Latin species

Synonym Study

See special.

Example Sentences

By understanding more about how cells repair DNA breaks, researchers can target specific DNA repair mechanisms.

From Science Daily

"Our findings show that subtle adjustments in molecular design can lead to significant differences in the final assembled structure of the chlorophyll, which could be exploited to create materials with specific light-harvesting properties," remarks Prof. Yagai.

From Science Daily

I provided them anonymity, including their team and specific job title, so they could speak as candidly as possible.

From Los Angeles Times

Specific dates often slip her mind, but her hearing and clarity of mind are remarkable.

From Science Magazine

Within the Sardinia blue zone, one study found centenarians and near-centenarians were more likely to carry a specific form of the gene TAS2R38, which codes for a protein involved in bitter taste response.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• clear-cut
• definite
• definitive
• different
• distinct
• exact
• explicit
• individual
• limited
• peculiar
• precise
• special
• specialized
• unambiguous
• unequivocal
• unique