to refer to or state specifically to state as a condition to state or include in the specification of
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
spec•i•fy /ˈspɛsəˌfaɪ/USA pronunciation
v., -fied, -fy•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- to mention or name specifically:[~ + object]He specified the times of arrival and departure of the flights.
- to name or state as a condition:[~ + (that) clause]The company specified (that) we would have to pay for any damages.
spec•i•fy
(spes′ə fī′),USA pronunciation v., -fied, -fy•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
spec•i•fi•ca•tive
(spes′ə fi kā′tiv),USA pronunciation adj.
spec′i•fi•ca′tive•ly, adv.
spec′i•fi′er, n.
v.t.
- to mention or name specifically or definitely; state in detail:He did not specify the amount needed.
- to give a specific character to.
- to set forth as a specification.
- to name or state as a condition:He specified that he be given my power of attorney.
v.i.
- to make a specific mention or statement.
- Medieval Latin specificāre. See specific, -fy
- Old French specifier
- Middle English specyfyen 1250–1300
spec′i•fi′er, n.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged detail, indicate, enumerate, stipulate.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'specify' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Monday morning quarterback
- assign
- chairperson
- code
- color temperature
- coloured
- combining form
- define
- definitive
- degree of freedom
- designate
- detail
- determine
- endorse
- enumerate
- formulate
- fourth dimension
- from
- generalized coordinates
- generate
- generative grammar
- individualize
- job control language
- lady
- make
- marked
- mention
- mislocate
- name
- neuter
- nominate
- participle
- particularize
- pitch
- point out
- post race
- primary color
- père
- quantify
- race
- space-time
- specialize
- specifiable
- stipulate
- tense
- the
- thermodynamic equilibrium
- this
- time
- videlicet