specify

Specify is a verb that means to state or indicate something clearly and exactly, or to designate features, requirements, or constraints with precision. It is used to identify which options apply, to name specifics, or to set forth details that must be followed or achieved.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin specificus meaning “of a kind,” via Old French and Middle English. The sense of making something explicit or particular developed in English by the late Middle Ages and remains central in technical and formal writing.

Usage: In legal and contract drafting, to specify terms and conditions; in science and data collection, to specify variables, units, methods, and measurement procedures; in computing and software, to specify input values, configuration options, or file paths; and in everyday language, to specify a date, place, or preference. The verb is often followed by that or to introduce a requirement or detail: “Please specify the range” or “Please specify that the report includes the appendix.”

Related terms: The noun form is specification, as in a product or system specification. The act of specifying emphasizes precision and completeness, rather than broad description. Specifying can be part of requirements engineering, contract drafting, or technical documentation.

See also: specification; specify versus describe.