spec
gb/spˈɛk/ us/spˈɛk/
B2
English
~ 6400
műszaki adatok, gépigény, specifikáció, követelményspecifikáció, specifikál, részletesen meghatároz, szemüveg, szemcsi, megbízás nélkül készített munka, saját kockázatra készített munka
NOUN
B2
1
gépigény
B2
Usage pattern:
the specs of [something]
Before buying the phone, I compared the specs of several models.
Mielőtt megvettem a telefont, több modell műszaki adatait is összehasonlítottam.
The game’s minimum specs are listed on the back of the box.
A játék minimális gépigénye a doboz hátoldalán van feltüntetve.
This laptop has great specs for video editing.
The camera’s specs look good on paper, but I want to see real photos.
Make sure the PC’s specs match what you need for work.
Learner examples
I checked the specs of the new phone online.
Megnéztem az új telefon műszaki adatait az interneten.
The game does not run on my PC because the specs are too low.
A játék nem fut a PC-men, mert a gépem nem felel meg a gépigénynek.
This computer has better specs than my old one.
What are the specs of your laptop?
The website shows the full specs of the TV.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse singular and plural forms, saying *"the spec of this laptop are good"* instead of *"the specs are good"*. Also, they may think 'specs' means 'special offers'; in tech and product contexts, it almost always means 'technical specifications'.
Meaning
technical features of a product
Collocations
check the specs
|hardware specs
|laptop specs
|camera specs
|minimum specs
|high-end specs
Synonyms
specifications (More formal and complete; not usually shortened in very formal writing.)
|
technical details (More general and less product-focused, can refer to any kind of detailed information.)
Antonyms
overview (Focuses on a general description instead of detailed technical information.)
Themes
technology
|shopping
|business
Definition
The technical details of a product, such as speed, size, memory, or power.
The detailed technical characteristics and performance details of a product, especially electronic or mechanical devices.
NOUN
C1
2
Usage pattern:
to write a spec for [something]
The engineers refused to start until they had a clear spec.
A mérnökök nem voltak hajlandók elkezdeni a munkát, amíg nem kaptak egy egyértelmű specifikációt.
We’re still waiting for the client to approve the spec.
Még mindig arra várunk, hogy az ügyfél jóváhagyja a specifikációt.
According to the spec, the system must support 10,000 users.
The app doesn’t match the original spec, so we need changes.
She spent all week writing a detailed spec for the new feature.
Learner examples
The team wrote a spec for the new website.
A csapat specifikációt írt az új weboldalhoz.
Please read the spec before you start your work.
Kérlek, olvasd el a specifikációt, mielőtt elkezded a munkát.
The product was built according to the spec.
The spec says the machine must stop after 10 minutes.
We need to change the spec because the client changed their mind.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *"specification"* only for physical size, but in business and tech it also covers behavior and rules. Another mistake is to say *"make a spec"* where *"write a spec"* or *"create a spec"* sounds more natural in professional contexts.
Meaning
detailed design or requirement document
Collocations
write a spec
|design spec
|product spec
|technical spec
|requirements spec
|spec document
Synonyms
specification (The full, standard word; more formal and common in official documents.)
|
requirements document (Emphasizes the business or functional needs rather than every technical detail.)
Antonyms
rough outline (Only gives a basic idea, without detailed requirements.)
Themes
business
|technology
|work
Definition
A document that gives exact rules and details for how something must be made or how it must work.
A written or formally agreed description of the detailed requirements for how something should be designed, built, or function; short for “specification”.
VERB
C1
INFORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
to spec (out) [something]
We still need to spec out the reporting feature before development starts.
A fejlesztés megkezdése előtt még specifikálnunk kell a jelentéskészítő funkciót.
The architect will spec the materials for the entire building.
Az építész fogja meghatározni az egész épülethez használt anyagokat.
Make sure you spec this project carefully so the costs are clear.
They didn’t properly spec the system, so it keeps crashing under heavy load.
Let’s spec the whole process first and then talk about timelines.
Learner examples
The team will spec out the new app this week.
A csapat ezen a héten kidolgozza az új alkalmazás specifikációját.
We must spec the project before we build it.
Mielőtt megvalósítjuk, részletesen meg kell határoznunk a projekt követelményeit.
She is helping the client spec the website.
They did not spec the job well, so there were problems later.
First, we spec the system; then we write the code.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"specify out"* by copying *"spec out"*, but only *"spec out"* or *"specify"* are natural. Another mistake is using it in very formal writing; in that case, *"specify"*, *"define the requirements"*, or *"draft a specification"* are better.
Meaning
decide and write detailed requirements
Collocations
spec out a system
|spec a feature
|properly spec something
|fully spec’d out
|spec the requirements
|spec a project
Synonyms
specify (More formal and general; not limited to technical or design contexts.)
|
define (Broader and less tied to documents; can refer to deciding concepts or boundaries, not only technical details.)
Antonyms
improvise (To act without detailed planning or requirements.)
Themes
work
|business
|technology
Definition
To plan and write down all the details for how something must be made or how it must work.
To decide, describe, or document the detailed requirements for how something should be designed, built, or should function; often used in the phrase “spec out”.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
4
Usage pattern:
a pair of specs
He pushed his specs up his nose and kept reading.
Feltolta a szemüvegét az orrán, és tovább olvasott.
I can’t find my specs; have you seen them anywhere?
Nem találom a szemüvegemet; nem láttad valahol?
She bought a new pair of reading specs last week.
Without his specs, everything looks blurry.
Those thick black specs really suit her.
Learner examples
I wear specs when I read.
Olvasáshoz szemüveget viselek.
She lost her specs on the bus.
A buszon elvesztette a szemüvegét.
He put on his specs to see the screen.
These specs are too strong for me.
My new specs help me see very clearly.
Common mistake:
Learners may think *"specs"* in all contexts means glasses. In technology or shopping texts, however, *"specs"* almost always refers to technical specifications, not eyeglasses.
Meaning
eyeglasses, especially in British English
Collocations
a pair of specs
|reading specs
|thick specs
|put on your specs
|take off your specs
|his old specs
Synonyms
glasses (Standard, neutral term; used in all varieties of English.)
|
spectacles (More formal or old-fashioned; often used in writing rather than conversation.)
Antonyms
contact lenses (A different way to correct vision that replaces the need to wear specs.)
Themes
health
|body
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Glasses that you wear on your face to help you see; usually said as “specs” in informal British English.
Eyeglasses, especially in informal British English; usually used in the plural form “specs”.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
5
Usage pattern:
a spec for [something]
She sold her first TV pilot as a spec to a major network.
Első tévés pilotepizódját még megbízás nélkül írta, majd eladta egy nagy tévécsatornának.
The agency refused to do the campaign as a spec; they wanted a proper contract.
Az ügynökség nem volt hajlandó megbízás nélkül elkészíteni a kampányt; rendes szerződést akart.
He wrote three specs before anyone agreed to represent him.
Many designers dislike working on spec because it often leads to unpaid labor.
That film started as a spec nobody wanted to make.
Learner examples
He wrote a spec script and sent it to a studio.
Írt egy megbízás nélkül készült forgatókönyvet, és elküldte egy stúdiónak.
The designer does not like to work on spec.
A tervező nem szeret megbízás nélkül dolgozni.
They asked the agency for a spec, but the agency said no.
She made a spec for a car ad to show her skills.
Many writers start with a spec before they get a job.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think *"spec"* here is short for *"specification"*, but in film, TV, design, and advertising it usually comes from *"speculative"* and means unpaid, uncommissioned work.
Meaning
uncommissioned work made to sell later
Collocations
a spec script
|do work on spec
|write a spec
|spec project
|design done on spec
|pitching a spec
Synonyms
speculative work (More explicit and slightly more formal; often used in professional discussions of fair pay.)
|
unsolicited work (Focuses on the fact that nobody asked for it, rather than the hope of selling it.)
Antonyms
commissioned work (Work that is ordered and usually paid for in advance, the opposite of creating something on spec.)
Themes
media
|art
|business
|arts_entertainment
|work
Definition
A script, design, or other work that someone makes without a job or order, hoping that a company will buy it later.
A piece of creative or professional work, such as a script, design, or advertisement, produced without being ordered or paid for in advance, in the hope of selling it later; short for “speculative”.
Grammar
Dictionary form
spec
IPA
GB/spˈɛk/
US/spˈɛk/
Syllables & stress
spec (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (spec)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: spec
- Plural: specs
Verb
- Base: spec
- 3rd Person Singular: specs
- Present Participle: specing
- Past: speced
- Past Participle: speced
Word family
Forms
specs
noun
specing
verb
speced
verb
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
unspecified
adjective
nonspecific
adjective
Advanced or less common
specificity
noun
Expressions
built to spec
1/bˈɪlt tə spˈɛk/
fixed phrase
technical
made exactly as specified
Made exactly how the plan, spec, or order says, without important changes.
Examples
- The machine was built to spec, so any problems must come from how it’s being used.
- All parts need to be built to spec to pass quality control.
- He insists that every house is built to spec and checked by an independent inspector.
meet the spec
1/mˈit ðə spˈɛk/
fixed phrase
technical
satisfy the stated requirements
To be good enough to match all the rules and details in the spec.
Examples
- The prototype doesn’t meet the spec, so we have to redesign it.
- Any supplier whose parts don’t meet the spec will be removed from the list.
- Their software failed to meet the spec for security, so the contract was cancelled.
on spec
1/ˈɔn spˈɛk/
idiom
without sure payment or success
To do, make, or buy something without a promise of money or success, hoping it will work out or sell later.
Examples
- The writer sold her first novel after sending it out on spec to several publishers.
- The company built a few extra houses on spec, hoping buyers would appear.
- Freelancers are often asked to work on spec, but many refuse because it may never be paid.
spec out
1/spˈɛk ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
informal
plan and record full requirements
To plan and write down all the technical details and needs for something, like a system, product, or project.
Examples
- We need to spec out the new server before we order any hardware.
- The consultant will help us spec out the whole system from start to finish.
- They spent a month speccing out the app so the developers knew exactly what to build.