specify — to state clearly and exactly what something is or what should happen
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to state clearly and exactly what something is or what should happen
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈspesɪˌfaɪ/
Example Sentences
- The teacher asked students to specify which pizza toppings they wanted for the class party.
- Could you please specify the exact time for our meeting?
- The job posting failed to specify whether remote work was allowed.
specify
VERB[/ˈspesɪˌfaɪ/]
to state clearly and exactly what something is or what should happen
The teacher specified the exact time for the field trip.
The manager specified which supplies the team needed. (SPECIFIC → SPECIFY → make something exact and clear)
The teacher specified the instructions, clarified the confusing parts, and simplified the task.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Late Latin 'specificus' meaning 'constituting a species' or 'particular,' derived from 'species' (appearance, kind) and the suffix '-ficus' (making, causing). The word entered Middle English through Old French 'specifier'.
Breakdown
speci- (species, kind) + -fy (make, cause) = specify (to make specific or particular)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The teacher asked students to specify which pizza toppings they wanted for the class party.”
“Could you please specify the exact time for our meeting?”
“The job posting failed to specify whether remote work was allowed.”
“My grandmother always specifies that cookies must be 'crispy, not chewy' when ordering online.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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