specific

Specific is an adjective meaning precise, clearly defined, or relating to a particular person, thing, or matter rather than to a broad category. The word comes from Latin specificus, from species (appearance or form), and entered English through Old French and Middle English usage. As a result, something described as specific is typically distinguished from general or generic.

In usage, specific conveys focus or particularity. It can describe instructions tailored to a context, a single example, or a detail singled out for attention. The opposite terms are general, nonspecific, or generic. In everyday language, speakers may contrast specific versus general plans, questions, or requirements to emphasize clarity and relevance.

In science and medicine, specificity denotes selectivity. A diagnostic test with high specificity correctly identifies individuals who do not have the condition, thereby reducing false positives; sensitivity is a related measure of correctly identified positives. In chemistry and biology, a specific reaction or a receptor refers to one that interacts with a particular substrate or molecule rather than with many others.

Grammar and related forms are common in many fields. To specify means to state clearly and in detail; specification is a detailed description of requirements or characteristics; specificity, related but distinct, often refers to the precision of measurement or targeting. The term appears across disciplines, including law and policy, where precise requirements and definitions support clarity and accountability.