Specifical vs. Specific — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Munazza Shafiq — Updated on May 3, 2024
Specifical is the incorrect spelling. Specific is the correct spelling, referring to something clearly defined or identified.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Specifical or Specific
How to spell Specific?
Specifical
Incorrect Spelling
Specific
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Remember that "specific" is an adjective related to precision and does not have an "al" at the end, unlike "special" which can be "special" or "specialized".
Consider the word "specific" as part of "specification," which also does not end in "cal".
The word "specific" is shorter and more direct, reflecting its meaning of being clear and distinct.
"Specific" aligns with "precise", both ending in "ic" and not "ical".
How Do You Spell Specific Correctly?
Incorrect: Specifical instructions can often lead to confusion.
Correct: Specific instructions can often lead to confusion.
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Incorrect: He gave me very specifical details about the plan.
Correct: He gave me very specific details about the plan.
Incorrect: Her response was too specifical to understand clearly.
Correct: Her response was too specific to understand clearly.
Incorrect: They asked for a specifical type of blue paint.
Correct: They asked for a specific type of blue paint.
Incorrect: The specifical goals of the project were outlined in the document.
Correct: The specific goals of the project were outlined in the document.
Specific Definitions
Clearly defined or identified.
The instructions were specific to ensure no mistakes.
Precise or exact.
Please give me specific examples to illustrate your point.
Intended for, or relating to, a particular purpose.
She bought a dress specific for the occasion.
Medicine: limited to one part of the body.
The medication provides specific relief from knee pain.
Clearly defined or identified
Savings were made by increasing the electricity supply only until it met specific development needs
Relating to species or a species
The differences between them can only be on the specific level
(of a duty or a tax) levied at a fixed rate per physical unit of the thing taxed, regardless of its price.
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
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
A precise detail
I wish I'd put more thought into the specifics
Explicitly set forth; definite
Wrote specific instructions.
Clear or detailed in communicating
Be specific when telling us what you need.
Limited, distinctive, or unique
Problems specific to small colleges.
Intended for, applying to, or acting on a particular thing
A specific remedy for warts.
Concerned particularly with the subject specified. Often used in combination
"age-specific voting patterns" (A. Dianne Schmidley).
Relating to, characterizing, or distinguishing a species
A specific name.
Designating a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition.
Having a remedial influence or effect on a particular disease.
(Immunology) Having an affinity limited to a particular antibody or antigen.
Designating a customs charge levied on merchandise by unit or weight rather than according to value.
Designating a commodity rate applicable to the transportation of a single commodity between named points.
Something particularly fitted to a use or purpose.
A remedy intended for a particular ailment or disorder.
A distinguishing quality or attribute.
Specifics Distinct items or details; particulars.
Explicit or definite.
Pertaining to a species, as a taxon or taxa at the rank of species.
Special, distinctive or unique.
Intended for, or applying to, a particular thing.
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
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.
(immunology) limited to a particular antibody or antigen.
(physics) of a value divided by mass (e.g. specific orbital energy)
(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)
(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)
A distinguishing attribute or quality.
A remedy for a specific disease or condition.
Specification
(in the plural) The details; particulars.
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.
Specifying; definite, or making definite; limited; precise; discriminating; as, a specific statement.
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.
Anything having peculiar adaption to the purpose to which it is applied.
A fact about some part (as opposed to general);
He always reasons from the particular to the general
A medicine that has a mitigating effect on a specific disease;
Quinine is a specific for malaria
(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
Stated explicitly or in detail;
Needed a specific amount
Relating to or distinguishing or constituting a taxonomic species;
Specific characters
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
Relating to one particular thing and not others.
He has a specific interest in medieval art.
Specific Meaning in a Sentence
Can you be more specific about what you need?
He couldn't remember the specific date of the meeting.
The doctor gave specific instructions on how to administer the medication.
She had a specific song in mind for her wedding.
He asked for a specific type of wood for the project.
The teacher asked for specific examples in the essay.
Specific details make your story more engaging.
We need to set specific goals for the team.
The specific color she wanted was not available.
The game requires specific skills to succeed.
She has specific dietary requirements.
The company set specific targets for sales this quarter.
Can you provide a specific instance when this occurred?
He specified the specific details needed for the project.
The contract specifies specific duties and responsibilities.
Specific precautions must be taken when handling chemicals.
They gave specific examples to clarify the point.
The teacher outlined specific rules for the class.
She remembered the specific words he used.
He made a specific request not to be disturbed.
The instructions were specific to avoid any errors.
It's important to be specific when you give feedback.
He has a specific routine he follows every morning.
The guidebook provides specific information on each monument.
The recipe called for very specific ingredients.
Specific Idioms & Phrases
To be specific
To explain something more precisely or clearly.
I enjoy fruits, berries to be specific.
Specific to
Particularly associated with.
This problem is specific to older models of the car.
In that specific case
Relating to a particular situation.
In that specific case, the rules do not apply.
Anything specific
Any particular thing.
Did you have anything specific in mind for dinner?
Nothing specific
Not particular, or not relating to something definite.
I have nothing specific planned for the weekend.
Common Curiosities
How many syllables are in specific?
Specific has three syllables.
How is specific used in a sentence?
Specific is used as an adjective to describe something clearly defined.
How do we divide specific into syllables?
Specific is divided as spe-cif-ic.
What is the verb form of specific?
Specific does not have a verb form; it is only an adjective.
Why is it called specific?
Specific is derived from the Latin word "specificus" meaning precise or particular.
What is a stressed syllable in specific?
The stressed syllable in specific is the first: spe.
What is the root word of specific?
The root word of specific is "species" from Latin, meaning kind or type.
What is the pronunciation of specific?
Specific is pronounced as /spəˈsɪfɪk/.
Is specific a negative or positive word?
Specific is neutral; it is neither inherently negative nor positive.
Which determiner is used with specific?
Determiners like "the" or "a" can be used with nouns modified by specific.
What part of speech is specific?
Specific is an adjective.
What is the plural form of specific?
As an adjective, specific does not have a plural form.
Is specific an adverb?
No, specific is not an adverb.
What is another term for specific?
Another term for specific is particular.
Is specific a noun or adjective?
Specific is an adjective.
Is the specific term a metaphor?
The term specific is not typically used as a metaphor.
Is the word specific Gerund?
No, specific is not a gerund; it is an adjective.
Which vowel is used before specific?
A vowel is not specifically required before "specific"; it depends on the context.
What is the opposite of specific?
The opposite of specific is general.
Is specific an abstract noun?
No, specific is not a noun; it is an adjective.
Is specific a vowel or consonant?
The word specific starts with a consonant.
Is the word specific imperative?
No, specific cannot be imperative as it is not a verb.
Is the word “specific” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Specific, being an adjective, cannot be a direct or indirect object.
Which preposition is used with specific?
Common prepositions used with specific include "to" and "for".
Which article is used with specific?
The definite article "the" is commonly used with specific, depending on context.
What is the singular form of specific?
Specific is an adjective and does not have a singular or plural form.
Is specific a countable noun?
Specific is not a noun; it is an adjective.
Is specific a collective noun?
Specific is not a noun; it is an adjective.
Which conjunction is used with specific?
Specific itself does not require a specific conjunction; it depends on sentence construction.
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Written by
Munazza Shafiq
Edited 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.
