Skip to definition.
Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps


Verb: specify  'spe-su,fI
  1. Make a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement
    "The will specifies that she can live in the house for the rest of her life";
    - stipulate, qualify, condition
     
  2. Decide upon definitely; give a value
    "specify the parameters";
    - set, determine, define, fix, limit
     
  3. Be specific about
    "Could you please specify your criticism of my paper?";
    - particularize, particularise [Brit], specialize, specialise [Brit]
     
  4. Define clearly
    "I cannot specify the rules for this game";
    - pin down, peg down [informal], nail down, narrow down, narrow
     
  5. Design or destine
    "She was specified to become the director";
    - intend, destine, designate
     
  6. Select something or someone for a specific purpose
    "The teacher specified him to lead his classmates in the exercise";
    - assign, set apart
     
  7. Determine the essential quality of
    - define, delineate, delimit, delimitate

Derived forms: specifies, specified, specifying

See also: nail, set

Type of: be, choose, contract, determine, dilate, elaborate, enlarge, expand, expatiate, exposit, expound, flesh out, lucubrate [archaic], pick out, plan, select, take, undertake

Antonym: generalise [Brit]

Encyclopedia: Specify