Specific vs. Particular — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
Specific refers to something clearly defined or identified, while Particular points to a single, distinct item or detail among others.
Difference Between Specific and Particular
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Specific often implies precision, detailing something in a clear and exact manner. For example, giving specific instructions means providing clear, unambiguous directives. In contrast, Particular emphasizes a singular item or detail, often distinguishing it from the others.
Specific can also denote a distinct category or class. For instance, a specific breed of dog refers to a particular type among various breeds. On the other hand, Particular can refer to a unique characteristic or trait that sets something apart, such as a particular feature of a product that differentiates it from competitors.
Specific is frequently used to describe something exclusive or special to a certain situation or context. For example, a specific remedy for a problem indicates a solution tailored to that particular issue. Whereas Particular can emphasize selectiveness or fussiness, suggesting a preference for one thing over another.
Specific, in its essence, always requires clarity and distinctness. When someone asks for specific details, they are looking for clear and precise information. Particular, however, often zeroes in on one item or detail, asking for information or clarification about that one thing among many.
Using Specific tends to narrow down broad categories or generalizations, pinpointing something with precision. Using Particular, though, often hints at selectivity, focusing on a single aspect or detail among a broader set.
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Comparison Chart
Implication
Precision and clarity.
Singularity and distinctiveness.
Usage in Description
Describes something in detail.
Emphasizes a single detail or item.
Scope
Often narrows down a broader category.
Focuses on one detail or aspect.
Associated Feel
Clear and exact.
Selective or unique.
Contextual Emphasis
Specificity in terms of clarity.
Particularity in terms of uniqueness or distinction among others.
Compare with Definitions
Specific
Clearly defined or identified.
She gave a specific address.
Particular
Referring to a single item or detail.
There was one particular item I wanted.
Specific
Unique or special to something.
This tool has a specific purpose.
Particular
Unique or distinct from others.
She has a particular style.
Specific
Precise or exact.
Can you be more specific about your needs?
Particular
Concerned about details.
She pays attention to the particular aspects of a project.
Specific
Explicit or particular.
The rules were specific and clear.
Particular
In metaphysics, particulars or individuals are usually contrasted with universals. Universals concern features that can be exemplified by various different particulars.
Specific
Clearly defined or identified
Savings were made by increasing the electricity supply only until it met specific development needs
Particular
Used to single out an individual member of a specified group or class
The action seems to discriminate against a particular group of companies
Specific
Relating to species or a species
The differences between them can only be on the specific level
Particular
Especially great or intense
When handling or checking cash the cashier should exercise particular care
Specific
(of a duty or a tax) levied at a fixed rate per physical unit of the thing taxed, regardless of its price.
Particular
Insisting that something should be correct or suitable in every detail; fastidious
She is very particular about cleanliness
Specific
Of or denoting a number equal to the ratio of the value of some property of a given substance to the value of the same property of some other substance used as a reference, such as water, or of a vacuum, under equivalent conditions
Specific dielectric strength
Particular
A detail
He is wrong in every particular
Specific
A medicine or remedy effective in treating a particular disease or part of the body
He grasped at the idea as though she had offered him a specific for cancer
Particular
An individual item, as contrasted with a universal quality
Universals can be simultaneously exemplified by different particulars in different places
Specific
A precise detail
I wish I'd put more thought into the specifics
Particular
Of, belonging to, or associated with a specific person, group, thing, or category; not general or universal
She did not have a particular café in mind for their get-together.
Specific
Explicitly set forth; definite
Wrote specific instructions.
Particular
Distinctive among others of the same group, category, or nature; noteworthy or exceptional
An area known for its particular style of architecture.
Specific
Clear or detailed in communicating
Be specific when telling us what you need.
Particular
Of, relating to, or providing details; precise
Gave a particular description of the incident.
Specific
Limited, distinctive, or unique
Problems specific to small colleges.
Particular
Attentive to or concerned with details or niceties, often excessively so; fussy.
Specific
Intended for, applying to, or acting on a particular thing
A specific remedy for warts.
Particular
(Logic) Encompassing some but not all of the members of a class or group. Used of a proposition.
Specific
Concerned particularly with the subject specified. Often used in combination
"age-specific voting patterns" (A. Dianne Schmidley).
Particular
An individual item, fact, or detail
The two schools are similar in every particular. The police refused to divulge the particulars of the case.
Specific
Relating to, characterizing, or distinguishing a species
A specific name.
Particular
(Logic) A particular proposition.
Specific
Designating a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition.
Particular
(obsolete) Pertaining only to a part of something; partial.
Specific
Having a remedial influence or effect on a particular disease.
Particular
Specific; discrete; concrete.
I couldn't find the particular model you asked for, but I hope this one will do.
We knew it was named after John Smith, but nobody knows which particular John Smith.
Specific
(Immunology) Having an affinity limited to a particular antibody or antigen.
Particular
Specialised; characteristic of a specific person or thing.
I don't appreciate your particular brand of cynicism.
Specific
Designating a customs charge levied on merchandise by unit or weight rather than according to value.
Particular
(obsolete) Known only to an individual person or group; confidential.
Specific
Designating a commodity rate applicable to the transportation of a single commodity between named points.
Particular
Distinguished in some way; special (often in negative constructions).
My five favorite places are, in no particular order, New York, Chicago, Paris, San Francisco and London.
I didn't have any particular interest in the book.
He brought no particular news.
She was the particular belle of the party.
Specific
Something particularly fitted to a use or purpose.
Particular
(comparable) Of a person, concerned with, or attentive to, details; fastidious.
He is very particular about his food and if it isn't cooked to perfection he will send it back.
These women are more particular about their appearance.
Specific
A remedy intended for a particular ailment or disorder.
Particular
Concerned with, or attentive to, details; minute; circumstantial; precise.
A full and particular account of an accident
Specific
A distinguishing quality or attribute.
Particular
(law) Containing a part only; limited.
A particular estate, or one precedent to an estate in remainder
Specific
Specifics Distinct items or details; particulars.
Particular
(legal) Holding a particular estate.
Specific
Explicit or definite.
Particular
(logic) Forming a part of a genus; relatively limited in extension; affirmed or denied of a part of a subject.
A particular proposition, opposed to "universal", e.g. (particular affirmative) "Some men are wise"; (particular negative) "Some men are not wise".
Specific
Pertaining to a species, as a taxon or taxa at the rank of species.
Particular
A small individual part of something larger; a detail, a point.
Specific
Special, distinctive or unique.
Particular
(obsolete) A person's own individual case.
Specific
Intended for, or applying to, a particular thing.
Particular
A particular case; an individual thing as opposed to a whole class. (Opposed to generals, universals.)
Specific
Serving to identify a particular thing (often a disease or condition), with little risk of mistaking something else for it.
A highly specific test, specific and nonspecific symptoms
Particular
Relating to a part or portion of anything; concerning a part separated from the whole or from others of the class; separate; sole; single; individual; specific; as, the particular stars of a constellation.
[Make] each particular hair to stand an end,Like quills upon the fretful porpentine.
Seken in every halk and every herneParticular sciences for to lerne.
Specific
Being a remedy for a particular disease on a deeper level, rather than just masking the symptoms
Quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria.
Any improvement in secondary sciatica is probably due to the analgesic action of the sodium salicylate, but in primary sciatica, in all likelihood “rheumatic,” the effect of the sodium salicylate appears to be specific rather than symptomatic.
Particular
Of or pertaining to a single person, class, or thing; belonging to one only; not general; not common; hence, personal; peculiar; singular.
Wheresoever one plant draweth such a particular juice out of the earth.
Specific
(immunology) limited to a particular antibody or antigen.
Particular
Separate or distinct by reason of superiority; distinguished; important; noteworthy; unusual; special; as, he brought no particular news; she was the particular belle of the party.
Specific
(physics) of a value divided by mass (e.g. specific orbital energy)
Particular
Concerned with, or attentive to, details; minute; circumstantial; precise; as, a full and particular account of an accident; hence, nice; fastidious; as, a man particular in his dress.
Specific
(physics) similarly referring to a value divided by any measure which acts to standardize it (e.g. thrust specific fuel consumption, referring to fuel consumption divided by thrust)
Particular
Containing a part only; limited; as, a particular estate, or one precedent to an estate in remainder.
Specific
(physics) a measure compared with a standard reference value by division, to produce a ratio without unit or dimension (e.g. specific refractive index is a pure number, and is relative to that of air)
Particular
Forming a part of a genus; relatively limited in extension; affirmed or denied of a part of a subject; as, a particular proposition; - opposed to universal: e. g. (particular affirmative) Some men are wise; (particular negative) Some men are not wise.
Specific
A distinguishing attribute or quality.
Particular
A separate or distinct member of a class, or part of a whole; an individual fact, point, circumstance, detail, or item, which may be considered separately; as, the particulars of a story.
Particulars which it is not lawful for me to reveal.
It is the greatest interest of particulars to advance the good of the community.
Specific
A remedy for a specific disease or condition.
Particular
Special or personal peculiarity, trait, or character; individuality; interest, etc.
For his particular I'll receive him gladly.
If the particulars of each person be considered.
Temporal blessings, whether such as concern the public . . . or such as concern our particular.
Specific
Specification
Particular
One of the details or items of grounds of claim; - usually in the pl.; also, a bill of particulars; a minute account; as, a particular of premises.
The reader has a particular of the books wherein this law was written.
Specific
(in the plural) The details; particulars.
Particular
A fact about some part (as opposed to general);
He always reasons from the particular to the general
Specific
Of or pertaining to a species; characterizing or constituting a species; possessing the peculiar property or properties of a thing which constitute its species, and distinguish it from other things; as, the specific form of an animal or a plant; the specific qualities of a drug; the specific distinction between virtue and vice.
Specific difference is that primary attribute which distinguishes each species from one another.
Particular
A small part that can be considered separately from the whole;
It was perfect in all details
Specific
Specifying; definite, or making definite; limited; precise; discriminating; as, a specific statement.
Particular
Unique or specific to a person or thing or category;
The particular demands of the job
Has a paraticular preference for Chinese art
A peculiar bond of sympathy between them
An expression peculiar to Canadians
Rights peculiar to the rich
The special features of a computer
My own special chair
Specific
Exerting a peculiar influence over any part of the body; preventing or curing disease by a peculiar adaptation, and not on general principles; as, quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria.
In fact, all medicines will be found specific in the perfection of the science.
Particular
Separate and distinct from others;
An exception in this particular case
Specific
Anything having peculiar adaption to the purpose to which it is applied.
Particular
Separate and distinct from others of the same group or category;
Interested in one particular artist
A man who wishes to make a particular woman fall in love with him
Specific
A fact about some part (as opposed to general);
He always reasons from the particular to the general
Particular
Surpassing what is common or usual or expected;
He paid especial attention to her
Exceptional kindness
A matter of particular and unusual importance
A special occasion
A special reason to confide in her
What's so special about the year 2000?
Specific
A medicine that has a mitigating effect on a specific disease;
Quinine is a specific for malaria
Particular
First and most important;
His special interest is music
She gets special (or particular) satisfaction from her volunteer work
Specific
(sometimes followed by `to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique;
Rules with specific application
Demands specific to the job
A specific and detailed account of the accident
Nonspecific enteritis
Particular
Exacting especially about details;
A finicky eater
Fussy about clothes
Very particular about how her food was prepared
Specific
Stated explicitly or in detail;
Needed a specific amount
Particular
Providing specific details or circumstances;
A particular description of the room
Specific
Relating to or distinguishing or constituting a taxonomic species;
Specific characters
Particular
Fussy or hard to please.
He is particular about his food choices.
Specific
Being or affecting a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition; used also of stains or dyes used in making microscope slides;
Quinine is highly specific for malaria
A specific remedy
A specific stain is one having a specific affinity for particular structural elements
Particular
Separate or distinct.
Each particular case was reviewed.
Specific
Pertaining or limited to a distinct category or class.
This is a specific type of plant.
Common Curiosities
Does "particular" always mean fussy?
No, while "particular" can mean fussy, it also emphasizes a single item or detail among others.
Does "specific" always imply precision?
Yes, "specific" typically conveys precision, detailing something clearly and exactly.
What does "particular" emphasize?
"Particular" emphasizes a singular item or detail, often distinguishing it from others.
Can "specific" and "particular" be used interchangeably?
While they have similar meanings, context matters. "Specific" often means precise, while "particular" highlights uniqueness or selectivity.
How is "specific" used in medical contexts?
In medicine, "specific" might refer to a treatment effective against a particular ailment, like a specific remedy.
What does it mean to have a "specific focus"?
Having a "specific focus" means concentrating on a clearly defined or particular aspect.
What's the opposite of being "particular"?
The opposite of being "particular" might be being indifferent, undiscriminating, or unfussy.
Why would someone be described as "particular" in their tastes?
Describing someone as "particular" in tastes suggests they are selective, discerning, or have distinct preferences.
Is "specific" only used for tangible items?
No, "specific" can be used for both tangible items and abstract concepts, indicating precision or distinctness.
Can "specific" relate to exclusivity?
Yes, "specific" can denote something unique or special to a certain context or situation.
When would one use "in particular"?
"In particular" is used to emphasize one item or detail among a group, suggesting it's of special importance or relevance.
What does "be specific" generally mean?
"Be specific" is a request for clear, detailed, and unambiguous information or explanation.
Does "particular" relate to particularity?
Yes, "particular" is the adjective form, denoting distinctiveness or uniqueness, while "particularity" is the noun form, indicating the quality of being particular.
How does "specific" relate to specificity?
"Specific" is the adjective form, denoting clear identification, while "specificity" is the noun form, indicating the quality of being specific.
How is "particular" used in legal contexts?
In legal contexts, "particular" might refer to specific details or aspects of a case or claim.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
