specificity

noun

spec·​i·​fic·​i·​ty ˌspe-sə-ˈfi-sə-tē How to pronounce specificity (audio)
Synonyms of specificitynext
: the quality or condition of being specific: such as
a
: the condition of being peculiar to a particular individual or group of organisms
host specificity of a parasite
b
: the condition of participating in or catalyzing only one or a few chemical reactions
the specificity of an enzyme

Synonyms of specificity

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Examples of specificity in a Sentence

I was impressed by the specificity of her instructions. the specificity of your description of your medical condition was a bit more than I needed
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ranging from oral poetry to stage plays to culture-defining legends, these stories resonate with us for their universality and specificity alike. — Chloe Gong, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 The first to be published was The Ink Truck, loosely based on a 1964 strike at the Times-Union, but with none of the topographical specificity that would come to characterize his mature work. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 His enemies are named with both absolute specificity and absolute generality in close to every film. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 On The RealReal, specificity is becoming a shopping strategy. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for specificity

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of specificity was in 1875

Rhymes for specificity

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Browse Nearby Words

specific ionization
specificity
specificize
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Cite this Entry

“Specificity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specificity. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

specificity

noun
spec·​i·​fic·​i·​ty ˌspes-ə-ˈfis-ət-ē How to pronounce specificity (audio)
: the quality or condition of being specific
especially : the condition of taking part in or of acting as a catalyst in only one or a few chemical reactions
the specificity of an enzyme

Medical Definition

specificity

noun
spec·​i·​fic·​i·​ty ˌspes-ə-ˈfis-ət-ē How to pronounce specificity (audio)
plural specificities
: the quality or condition of being specific: as
a
: the condition of being peculiar to a particular individual or group of organisms
host specificity of a parasite
b
: the condition of participating in or catalyzing only one or a few chemical reactions
the specificity of an enzyme
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