specify

specify — verb

1. to give the exact details of something, such as what must be done, what is neede

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to give the exact details of something, such as what must be done, what is needed, or what something looks like — for example, specifying the size when ordering furniture, or the time and place when arranging a meeting.

Example

The job advertisement did not specify the starting salary.

negative construction: did not specify

Henry specified which documents he needed for his visa application.

specify + wh-clause (which...)

Common collocations
  • specify clearly / precisely / exactly
  • specify a date / time / location / price / size / amount / colour
  • specify requirements / conditions / details / criteria / instructions
  • as specified in / by / under
Synonyms
  • state

    more general and less formal; can be brief or vague

  • define

    focuses on setting boundaries or explaining the meaning of something

  • indicate

    less precise; can mean pointing to or suggesting rather than giving exact details

  • detail

    implies listing each part or step separately

Antonyms
  • generalize

    to speak in broad terms without precise details

  • obscure

    to make unclear or difficult to understand

Grammar Patterns

specify + noun phrase

specify + that-clause

specify + wh-clause (what/which/when/where/how)

be specified + (in/by/on)

Usage Note

Frequently used in formal, technical, and instructional contexts. Takes a that-clause (specify that…), a wh-clause (specify what/which/when/where/how…), or a simple noun phrase as object. The passive form (be specified) is common in instructions, contracts, and technical documents.

Common Mistakes

Please specify me the requirements.
Please specify the requirements for me.
specify cannot take an indirect object like give or tell can.
Could you specify about the plan?
Could you specify the details of the plan?
specify is transitive and takes a direct object, not a prepositional phrase.
The doctor specified the reasons for my headache.
The doctor explained the reasons for my headache.
specify means to give exact details, not to make something understandable.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

State is the most general word — you can state something briefly or vaguely, whereas specify always requires precise information. Define focuses on setting the meaning or boundaries of something (e.g. 'define the term democracy'), while specify focuses on giving exact measurable or actionable details (e.g. 'specify the deadline'). Indicate is softer and can mean showing or suggesting ('nodding to indicate agreement'), without the demand for exactness that specify carries. Detail means to list each part one by one, which is a more thorough version of specifying — you might specify the price and date but then detail every item in the contract. When in doubt, use specify for situations where exact numbers, names, times, or measurements are needed: 'Please specify which flight you are taking, not just the date.'

state ↗define ↗indicate ↗detail ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • specify in writing
  • specify in advance
  • unless otherwise specified
  • as specified above/below

Prepositions

  • as specified in
  • as specified by
  • as specified under
  • specified on

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Specify comes from Latin specificare, meaning 'to mention particularly', which was formed from species ('kind, sort, appearance') and facere ('to make, to do'). The sense of singling out or naming something distinctly has been part of the word since it entered English in the early 1600s.