Specified

ˈspɛsɪfaɪd

verbmedium🔥Very CommonAction
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To clearly and explicitly state or identify something.

ˈspɛsɪfaɪd

verbneutralmedium
Action

To state or identify something precisely or explicitly.

The document specified the deadlines for submitting the proposal.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're giving someone exact instructions. Like, "Meet me at the park, not just 'near the playground,' but *beside the swings*. That's specifying!" You're being super clear about the details.

👶 For kids: To tell someone exactly what you want or need. Like, "I want the red crayon, not the blue one!"

More Examples

2

The architect specified the dimensions of the building.

3

He specified his preferences for the vacation destination.

How It's Used

Legal

"The contract specified the terms of payment."

Technical

"The engineer specified the materials to be used in construction."

General

"The instructions specified the order of operations."

2

Clearly and precisely defined or stated.

ˈspɛsɪfaɪd

adjectiveneutralmedium
Description

Precisely defined or explicitly stated.

The specified route must be followed.

💡 Simply: Imagine a treasure hunt where the clue says, "Go to the *specified* tree." The tree is super clear: it's not *any* tree, it's the *particular* one.

👶 For kids: Something that is told to you exactly. For example, the *specified* time for the game is 3 o'clock.

More Examples

2

The specified instructions are easy to understand.

3

He followed the specified guidelines to create a successful result.

How It's Used

Technical

"The specified parameters are critical for the experiment's success."

Legal

"All specified terms and conditions must be met."

General

"She reviewed the specified requirements."

Tip:Think of something that's been SPECIFICALLY (specified) identified, like a set of instructions.

From Middle English *specifien*, from Old French *especifier* or directly from Latin *specificare* ("to specify, define"), from *species* ("kind, sort") and *facere* ("to make").

The word 'specified' has been used consistently over centuries, particularly in legal and scientific texts, to ensure clarity and precision.

Memory tip

Think of a specific example: when you SPECIFY something, you're making it SPECIFIC.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"kind, sort"

specified timespecified datespecified termsspecified requirementsspecified amount

Common misspellings

specifedspecifidspesified

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written