Specify Meaning
/ˈspɛs.ɪ.faɪ/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo state explicitly, or in detail, or as a condition.
verbTo include in a specification.
Sentence Examples
He didn't specify when he would return.
Please specify any conditions you have for the use of this information.
Remember to specify your size when ordering clothes.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Please ____ the exact date for the meeting so we can plan.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Please ____ whether you would like your coffee with milk or sugar when you place your order.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English specifien, from Old French specifier, especefier, or directly from Medieval Latin specificō, from specificus (“specific”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"I was nevere somouned, ne never hadde tydynges of this matier but by seyd lettres and other fleying tales that I heve herd sithen, ne nevere hadde to do more with the seyd John Wortes than is specified in the seyd instruccion."
— 1425 November 5, William Paston, edited by James Gairdner, Paston Letters, new edition, volume I, London: Edward Arber, published 1872, page 20:
"Thanne after came A riall ordenaunce, / Too myghty princes with a grete pusaunce, / ffro Masedeyn and owt of Arkadye, / Ther cowde no man the nowmber specifie."
— c. 1440, William Aldis Wright, editor, Generydes (in Middle English), London: N. Trübner & Co., published 1878, lines 1950–3, page 63:
"But there is no need of specifying particulars in this class of uses. The catalogue is endless, and the examples so obvious, that I shall leave them to the reader’s reflection, with the general remark, that this mercenary benefit is one which has respect to a farther good. A man is fed, not that he may be fed, but that he may work."
— 1836, Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Commodity”, in Nature, Boston: James Monroe and Company, page 18:
"It seems to me that whoever at the Department of Transport or the train operating companies, or both, is specifying the standard of seats these days has taken leave of their senses and opted for cheapness over comfort."
— 2023 July 26, Pip Dunn, “Merseyrail '777s' are OK for passengers”, in RAIL, number 988, page 60:
"Forthermar o þis lecheri / Agh i þe noght to specifie[…]"
— c. 1300, Richard Morris, editor, Cursor Mundi [Runner of the World], volume I (in Middle English), London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co., published 1893, lines 27958–9, page 1548:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Please ____ the exact date for the meeting so we can plan.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Please ____ whether you would like your coffee with milk or sugar when you place your order.