MEANING
To state something precisely enough to identify its details or requirements.
Use it for
clear definitions; reproducible procedures; explicit conditionsReplace an underdefined claim with the needed detail.
Words that belong together
- specify the criteria
- specify a date
- specify how
On the page
The report does not specify which schools were excluded.
Applicants must specify the dates on which they are available.
Without specifying the units, the comparison between the two figures is meaningless.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- specify / specifies
- Past tense
- specified
- Past participle
- specified
- Present participle
- specifying
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- specify / specifies
- Present continuous
- am/is/are specifying
- Present perfect
- have/has specified
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been specifying
- Past
- specified
- Past continuous
- was/were specifying
- Past perfect
- had specified
- Past perfect continuous
- had been specifying
- Future
- will specify / specifies
- Future continuous
- will be specifying
- Future perfect
- will have specified
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been specifying
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
Usage notes
Primary category: academic. Broadly useful, not inherently elevated. Specify what, how, or which; distinguish an exact statement from a general indication. Verb inflections [base, third-person singular, past, past participle, -ing]: specify, specifies, specified, specified, specifying. Derived family (not inflections): specification, specific.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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