specific

Used when you mean one particular person, thing, or group rather than others of the same kind.

• Are you looking for a specific book?
• We chose this hotel for a specific reason.
• The money must be spent on specific projects.

Similar words: particular

Opposites: general

Common phrases: a specific person, a specific reason, a specific purpose, a specific date

Giving exact details so that people know clearly what you mean.

• Please give me specific instructions.
• Her description was not very specific.
• Can you be more specific about the price?

How to use it: be specific about something (Please be specific about the changes you want.)

Similar words: precise, exact, detailed

Opposites: vague

Common phrases: specific instructions, be more specific, specific details, a specific answer

Able to identify one particular disease or condition without wrongly identifying other conditions as that one.

• The test is highly specific.
• We need a marker specific for this disease.
• A more specific test reduced the number of false positive results.

How to use it: specific for something (This marker is highly specific for that infection.)

Opposites: nonspecific

Common phrases: a specific test, highly specific, specific diagnostic marker

Treating a particular disease itself, rather than only reducing the problems it causes.

• There is no specific treatment for this disease.
• They searched for a specific remedy for the infection.
• Quinine was used as a specific medicine for malaria.

How to use it: specific for something (The doctors sought a medicine specific for the disease.)

Common phrases: a specific remedy, specific treatment, specific medicine