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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Specify: Meaning, Examples, and How to Use It (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：state precisely (specify)

specify 🔊

/ˈspesɪfaɪ/

To tell someone exactly what you want or need, giving all the necessary details.

Specify meaning example: hand writing detailed shopping list

state precisely 🔊

➕

/steɪt prɪˈsaɪsli/

To clearly and exactly name or describe the particular details or requirements of something.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'specere' (to see) + '-fy' (to make), meaning 'to make seen or clear'.

💡 Mnemonic

See (spec) + ify (ify) — put on your spectacles to see and list all details.

📖 Example

When ordering a custom cake, you need to specify what message you want written on top. 🔊 When ordering a custom cake, you need to state precisely what message you want written on top.

🔗 Collocations

specify details – To give exact pieces of information about something.

specify requirements – To state the necessary conditions or criteria clearly.

specify a date – To name a particular day exactly.

🔄 Synonyms

define (v.) – To state or describe exactly the nature, scope, or meaning of something.

state (v.) – To express something clearly and definitely in speech or writing.

stipulate (v.) – To demand or specify a particular condition as part of an agreement.

🚫 Antonyms

generalize (v.) – To make a broad statement or apply something widely without specifying details.

obscure (v.) – To make something unclear or difficult to understand.

vague (adj.) – Not clearly expressed or defined; lacking precise details.

🌱 Derivatives

specification (n.) – A detailed description of the design, materials, or requirements of something.

specific (adj.) – Clearly defined or identified; precise.

specified (adj.) – Explicitly stated or named.

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'specificare' (to mention particularly), derived from 'species' (appearance, kind). In medieval Latin, it gained the sense of enumerating details.

Meaning 2：set forth (specify)

specify 🔊

/ˈspesɪfaɪ/

To officially set or require particular details or conditions in a rule, design, or plan.

Specify definition example: engineer pointing to blueprint specification

set forth 🔊

➕

/set fɔːrθ/

To officially and explicitly include particular details or conditions as part of a rule, instruction, or plan.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The software installation guide specifies that your computer must have at least Windows 10 to run properly. 🔊 The software installation guide sets forth that your computer must have at least Windows 10 to run properly.

🔗 Collocations

specify conditions – To state the required circumstances under which something must happen.

specify a standard – To exactly define a benchmark or level that must be met.

specify a material – To name the exact substance to be used in manufacturing or construction.

🔄 Synonyms

stipulate (v.) – To demand or explicitly require a condition as part of an agreement or rule.

prescribe (v.) – To lay down a rule or directive that must be followed.

define (v.) – To state the precise meaning or scope of something in a formal context.

🚫 Antonyms

omit (v.) – To leave out or not include a necessary detail or condition.

neglect (v.) – To fail to properly attend to or specify required details.

loosen (v.) – To make rules or conditions less strict or specific.

🌱 Derivatives

specification (n.) – A formal detailed description of required features or standards.

unspecified (adj.) – Not mentioned or stated clearly; left undefined.

specifiable (adj.) – Able to be clearly stated or defined.