specific
pronunciation
How to pronounce specific in British English:
UK [spəˈsɪfɪk]
How to pronounce specific in American English:
US [spəˈsɪfɪk]
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- Noun:
- a fact about some part (as opposed to general)
- a medicine that has a mitigating effect on a specific disease
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- Adjective:
- (sometimes followed by `to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique
- stated explicitly or in detail
- relating to or distinguishing or constituting a taxonomic species
- being or affecting a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition; used also of stains or dyes used in making microscope slides
Word Origin
- specific (adj.)
- 1630s, "having a special quality," from French spécifique and directly from Late Latin specificus "constituting a kind or sort" (in Medieval Latin "specific, particular"), from Latin species "kind, sort" (see species). Earlier form was specifical (early 15c.). Meaning "definite, precise" first recorded 1740. Related: Specifically; specificness.
- specific (n.)
- "a specific quality or detail," 1690s, from specific (adj.).
Synonym
Antonym
Example
- 1. A bachelor 's in a specific subject ?
- 2. Do presentations to a specific audience make you tense ?
- 3. Ask specific questions to collect specific feedback .
- 4. Let us have your specific inquiries .
- 5. Each particle has a specific mass and electric charge .