specificity

noun

spec·​i·​fic·​i·​ty ˌspe-sə-ˈfi-sə-tē 

: 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

• explicitness
• particularity

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

When requesting feedback, good collaborators err on the side of specificity. —Shani Harmon, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

With every prediction, the rest of the panel was in awe of Chalamet’s specificity in his choices, which is slightly backhanded as Chalamet was invited to the show to make predictions on game-winners. —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 7 Dec. 2024

The entire declaration lacks specificity, Velasco added. —David Biller, Chicago Tribune, 19 Nov. 2024

The show lacks specificity and suffers greatly for it. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

specificity

noun

spec·​i·​fic·​i·​ty ˌspes-ə-ˈfis-ət-ē 

: 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 

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