Specific vs. Special — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 3, 2024
Specific refers to something clearly defined or identified, special denotes being distinguished by a unique or exceptional quality.
Difference Between Specific and Special
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Specific describes something that is clearly defined or detailed, focusing on particular aspects of a subject or object. Whereas, special refers to something that stands out due to its uniqueness or exceptional quality, often implying a sense of rarity or uniqueness.
Specific often conveys precision and is used when exact information is communicated, such as in instructions or descriptions. On the other hand, special may convey emotional or sentimental value, highlighting an object or occasion's distinctive importance or meaning.
In terms of usage, "specific" is generally neutral and factual, suitable in technical or academic contexts to describe distinct features or criteria. While, "special" is more subjective and can be used across various contexts, from personal relationships to marketing, emphasizing superiority or an extraordinary status.
Specific can apply to a broad range of details or elements within a larger context, pinpointing particularities. Whereas, special is often holistic, referring to the overall status or nature of someone or something as being above the ordinary.
When it comes to implications, using "specific" can suggest a need for clarity or further explanation to avoid ambiguity. In contrast, using "special" might imply a value judgment, suggesting that something deserves attention or respect due to its distinct properties.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Clearly defined and distinct; exact or precise
Distinguished by uniqueness or excellence
Usage Context
Technical, detailed descriptions
Emotional, qualitative descriptions
Emotional Connotation
Neutral
Often positive, implies rarity or value
Example of Use
Specific instructions, specific details
Special occasion, special edition
Focus
Detail-oriented, precise
Overall uniqueness or exceptional quality
Compare with Definitions
Specific
Exact or particular.
She had a specific item in mind when she went shopping.
Special
Not ordinary; exceptional.
The chef prepared a special dish for us.
Specific
Restricted to a particular area.
The disease seems specific to certain regions.
Special
Adapted for a particular purpose.
The room was equipped with special facilities for the guests.
Specific
Precisely detailed.
The manual provides specific instructions for repairs.
Special
Greater than usual; additional.
She received special recognition for her work.
Specific
For a particular purpose.
This tool is designed for a specific task.
Special
Particularly important or loved.
That song is special to them.
Specific
Clearly defined.
He asked a specific question during the lecture.
Special
Designed for a particular use or occasion.
They bought a special outfit for the festival.
Specific
Clearly defined or identified
Savings were made by increasing the electricity supply only until it met specific development needs
Special
Surpassing what is common or usual; exceptional
A special occasion.
A special treat.
Specific
Relating to species or a species
The differences between them can only be on the specific level
Special
Distinct among others of a kind
A special type of paint.
A special medication for arthritis.
Specific
(of a duty or a tax) levied at a fixed rate per physical unit of the thing taxed, regardless of its price.
Special
Primary
His special satisfaction comes from volunteer work.
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
Special
Peculiar to a specific person or thing; particular
My own special chair.
The special features of a computer.
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
Special
Having a limited or specific function, application, or scope
A special role in the mission.
Specific
A precise detail
I wish I'd put more thought into the specifics
Special
Arranged for a particular occasion or purpose
A special visit from her daughter.
Specific
Explicitly set forth; definite
Wrote specific instructions.
Special
Regarded with particular affection and admiration
A special friend.
Specific
Clear or detailed in communicating
Be specific when telling us what you need.
Special
Additional; extra
A special holiday flight.
Specific
Limited, distinctive, or unique
Problems specific to small colleges.
Special
Something arranged, issued, or appropriated to a particular service or occasion
Rode to work on the commuter special.
Specific
Intended for, applying to, or acting on a particular thing
A specific remedy for warts.
Special
A featured attraction, such as a reduced price
A special on salmon.
Specific
Concerned particularly with the subject specified. Often used in combination
"age-specific voting patterns" (A. Dianne Schmidley).
Special
A single television production that features a specific work, a given topic, or a particular performer.
Specific
Relating to, characterizing, or distinguishing a species
A specific name.
Special
Distinguished by a unique or unusual quality.
A special episode of a television series
Specific
Designating a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition.
Special
Of particular personal interest or value; dear; beloved.
Everyone is special to someone.
Specific
Having a remedial influence or effect on a particular disease.
Special
(euphemistic) Of or related to disabilities, especially learning or intellectual disabilities.
Special education, special needs
He goes to a special school.
Specific
(Immunology) Having an affinity limited to a particular antibody or antigen.
Special
Constituting or relating to a species.
Specific
Designating a customs charge levied on merchandise by unit or weight rather than according to value.
Special
Chief in excellence.
Specific
Designating a commodity rate applicable to the transportation of a single commodity between named points.
Special
(military) Of or related to unconventional warfare.
Special forces, special operations
Specific
Something particularly fitted to a use or purpose.
Special
A reduction in consumer cost (usually for a limited time) for items or services rendered.
We're running a special on turkey for Thanksgiving.
Specific
A remedy intended for a particular ailment or disorder.
Special
One of a rotation of meals systematically offered for a lower price at a restaurant.
Today's special is our tuna melt on rye.
Specific
A distinguishing quality or attribute.
Special
(broadcasting) Unusual or exceptional episode of a series.
Did you see the Christmas special?
Specific
Specifics Distinct items or details; particulars.
Special
A special constable.
Specific
Explicit or definite.
Special
Anything that is not according to normal practice, plan, or schedule, as an unscheduled run of transportation that is normally scheduled.
Thousands came to see the special that carried the President's coffin.
Specific
Pertaining to a species, as a taxon or taxa at the rank of species.
Special
Any unlicensed medicine produced or obtained for a specific individual patient.
Specific
Special, distinctive or unique.
Special
(journalism) A correspondent; a journalist sent to the scene of an event to report back.
Specific
Intended for, or applying to, a particular thing.
Special
(journalism) A dispatch sent back by a special correspondent.
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
Special
(theater) A light that illuminates a specific person or thing on the stage.
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.
Special
(law) A person appointed specifically to examine a single event or issue.
For the few times the U.S. Supreme Court has to actually try a case, they will appoint a special master to do so.
After the Watergate break in, a special prosecutor was appointed.
Specific
(immunology) limited to a particular antibody or antigen.
Special
(nursing) To supervise a patient one-on-one.
Specific
(physics) of a value divided by mass (e.g. specific orbital energy)
Special
Of or pertaining to a species; constituting a species or sort.
A special is called by the schools a "species".
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)
Special
Particular; peculiar; different from others; extraordinary; uncommon.
Our Savior is represented everywhere in Scripture as the special patron of the poor and the afficted.
To this special evil an improvement of style would apply a special redress.
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)
Special
Appropriate; designed for a particular purpose, occasion, or person; as, a special act of Parliament or of Congress; a special sermon.
Specific
A distinguishing attribute or quality.
Special
Limited in range; confined to a definite field of action, investigation, or discussion; as, a special dictionary of commercial terms; a special branch of study.
Specific
A remedy for a specific disease or condition.
Special
Chief in excellence.
The king hath drawnThe special head of all the land together.
Specific
Specification
Special
A particular.
Specific
(in the plural) The details; particulars.
Special
One appointed for a special service or occasion.
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.
Special
A special offering (usually temporary and at a reduced price) that is featured in advertising;
They are having a special on pork chops
Specific
Specifying; definite, or making definite; limited; precise; discriminating; as, a specific statement.
Special
A dish or meal given prominence in e.g. a restaurant
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.
Special
A television production that features a particular person or work or topic;
The last of a series of BBC specials on Iran is being shown tonight
Specific
Anything having peculiar adaption to the purpose to which it is applied.
Special
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
A fact about some part (as opposed to general);
He always reasons from the particular to the general
Special
For a special service or occasion;
A special correspondent
A special adviser to the committee
Had to get special permission for the event
Specific
A medicine that has a mitigating effect on a specific disease;
Quinine is a specific for malaria
Special
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
(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
Special
Adapted to or reserved for a particular purpose;
A special kind of paint
A special medication for arthritis
Specific
Stated explicitly or in detail;
Needed a specific amount
Special
Having a specific function or scope;
A special (or specific) role in the mission
Specific
Relating to or distinguishing or constituting a taxonomic species;
Specific characters
Special
First and most important;
His special interest is music
She gets special (or particular) satisfaction from her volunteer work
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
Special
Added to a regular schedule;
A special holiday flight
Put on special buses for the big game
Common Curiosities
What does specific mean in a legal context?
In legal contexts, specific refers to precise, clearly defined terms within documents or arguments.
Can a product be both specific and special?
Yes, a product can have specific features making it suitable for particular needs and be special by standing out in quality or design.
What makes a day special but not specific?
A day might be special due to personal significance or events occurring on it, without being tied to specific details or plans.
Can specific be used to describe emotions?
While not typical, specific can describe emotions if detailed precisely, such as specific feelings of joy or sadness.
When should I use specific over special?
Use specific when clarity and precision are required; use special when highlighting uniqueness or importance.
Can someone be special without being specific?
Yes, someone can be considered special due to their overall impact or qualities without needing to specify why.
Is special always positive?
Typically, but special can also be neutral, depending on the context, such as special conditions or requirements.
How does special differ from speciality?
Special refers to uniqueness or excellence, whereas speciality refers to a person's area of expertise or a distinctive feature of something.
Is a special offer the same as a specific offer?
A special offer implies a deal of exceptional value or rarity, whereas a specific offer refers to particular terms detailed in the offer.
Can specific details make something special?
Yes, often the specific details of an item or event can elevate its status to special by adding uniqueness or value.
Does special imply luxury?
Not necessarily; it can denote emotional significance or unique qualities without relating to luxury.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
