specific
gb/spɪsˈɪfɪk/ us/spɪsˈɪfɪk/
B1
Anglais
~ 1000
Sens
0 sens
adjective
B1
property
1
clearly defined and exact
Clear and exact, not general.
Schéma d’usage :
[something] is specific to [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'specific' with 'special'. 'Specific' means exact and detailed; 'special' means unusual or important.
Synonymes
precise (Often interchangeable, but 'precise' can emphasize accuracy in measurement or description more strongly.)
|
exact (Very close in meaning, but 'exact' often stresses correctness down to the smallest detail.)
Antonymes
general (Opposite because it refers to something broad or not detailed.)
|
vague (Opposite because it means unclear or lacking detail.)
Collocations
specific details
|specific reason
|specific time
|specific example
|specific instructions
Thèmes
communication
|clarity
|description
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- She gave me specific instructions on how to get there.
- Can you be more specific about what you need?
- This medicine is for a specific type of infection.
- They met at a specific time and place.
- The teacher asked for a specific example from the text.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I need a specific answer.
- This book is for a specific class.
- He told me the specific day to come.
- We have a specific plan.
- She wants a specific color for the walls.
adjective
technical
B2
property
2
relating to one particular thing/group
Only about one person, thing, or group, not about others.
Schéma d’usage :
[something] is specific to [someone/something]
Synonymes
particular (Very close in meaning; 'particular' is more common in everyday speech, while 'specific' can sound more formal or technical in this sense.)
Antonymes
universal (Opposite because it applies to all cases rather than just one.)
Collocations
specific to humans
|specific to this case
|species-specific
|site-specific
Thèmes
science
|classification
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- This virus is specific to cats.
- The training is specific to new employees.
- The law is not specific to any one region.
- These skills are specific to the job.
- This reaction is species-specific.
Exemples pédagogiques
- This rule is specific to our school.
- The problem is specific to this group.
- That food is specific to this country.
- This plant is specific to warm places.
Nom
technical
B2
entity
3
precise detail or fact
A clear and exact detail about something.
Synonymes
detail ('Detail' is more common; 'specifics' often implies important details relevant to understanding fully.)
Antonymes
generalization (Opposite because it refers to a broad statement without details.)
Collocations
get into the specifics
|the specifics of the plan
|discuss the specifics
Thèmes
information
|clarity
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Let's talk about the specifics of the project.
- I can't give you any specifics until tomorrow.
- They refused to discuss specifics with the press.
- The contract covers all the specifics of the agreement.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Tell me the specifics of the plan.
- I don't know the specifics of his job.
- We will talk about the specifics later.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
specific
API
GB/spɪsˈɪfɪk/
US/spɪsˈɪfɪk/
Syllabes et accentuation
spe - cif - ic (3 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cif)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: specific
Noun
- Base: specific
- Plural: specifics
Famille de mots
Forms
specifics
noun
Core family
specifically
adverb B1
specify
verb A1
Related words
specification
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unspecified
adjective
nonspecific
adjective
Advanced or less common
specificity
noun
Expressions
in specific terms
1/ˈɪn spɪsˈɪfɪk tˈɚmz/
fixed phrase
formal
expressed clearly and exactly
Said in clear and exact words.
Exemples
- The report describes the problem in specific terms.
- He spoke in specific terms about the challenges ahead.
specific to [something]
1/spɪsˈɪfɪk tə sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
applies only to mentioned thing/group
Only true for that one thing or group, not for others.
Exemples
- These rules are specific to this company.
- The disease is specific to certain plants.
to be more specific
1/tə bˈi mˈɔɹ spɪsˈɪfɪk/
fixed phrase
give clearer information
To give more clear and exact information.
Exemples
- I like fruit. To be more specific, I love mangoes.
- She works in education. To be more specific, she teaches high school math.