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
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
Aber conjures place with great specificity; her descriptions feel alive.
—
Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2025
This lack of specificity has allowed the app to thrive, with many dismissing these concerns as mere speculation or political posturing.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Each puzzle showcases her particular gift for playing on figures of speech with a specificity that’s both dad jokey and incredibly smart.
—Sam Corbin, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Mimi Chinese, which chefs David Schwartz and Braden Chong just opened on Miami Beach’s Alton Road, is cooking regional Chinese food with a level of nuance, grace, fire and specificity that Miami isn’t used to.
—Andy Wang, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for specificity 
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Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2025
This lack of specificity has allowed the app to thrive, with many dismissing these concerns as mere speculation or political posturing.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Each puzzle showcases her particular gift for playing on figures of speech with a specificity that’s both dad jokey and incredibly smart.
—Sam Corbin, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Mimi Chinese, which chefs David Schwartz and Braden Chong just opened on Miami Beach’s Alton Road, is cooking regional Chinese food with a level of nuance, grace, fire and specificity that Miami isn’t used to.
—Andy Wang, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for specificity
Dictionary Entries Near specificity
Cite this Entry
“Specificity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specificity. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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