specific

Specific is part of the Academic Word List. It is important for students in college and university.

Pronunciation

• (UK) (US) IPA ^(key): /spəˈsɪf.ɪk/ or /spɪˈsɪf.ɪk/
• Hyphenation: spe‧cif‧ic

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

Positive specific

Comparative more specific

Superlative most specific

1. If you talk about a specific idea, person, group, or thing, you mean that it is different from or more interesting than other things like it; you might also mean that you know exactly which one you are talking about.

   The interviewer uses a checklist to make sure that specific areas are covered.

2. If something is specific, it is detailed, clear, and limited.

   Last time, he was happy to do anything, but feels this time he has to be more specific.

   First I will talk about farming in general, and then I will talk about the specific problems of wheat farming.

Synonyms

• particular

Antonyms

• general
• abstract

Related words

• specify
• specificity
• specifically