[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/specify/)

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# specify

verb (specify, specifies, specified, specifying)

«specify» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To say or write something clearly and exactly: specify the date. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/specify/#m1)
2. (formal) To state as a rule or requirement. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/specify/#m2)

### In the lessons

In formal exams and maths, «specify the units» or «unless otherwise specified» means unless stated exactly. In everyday instructions, «please specify your size». Phrases: specify exactly, unless otherwise specified.

### Examples

- Please specify your shoe size. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/specify/#x1)
- The recipe doesn't specify how much salt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/specify/#x2)
- Unless otherwise specified, give answers in cm. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/specify/#x3)
- She specified that she wanted blue. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/specify/#x4)
- The rules specify a maximum of six players. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/specify/#x5)
- Can you specify what you mean? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/specify/#x6)

### Note

Past: specified (y to i). Noun: specification; adjective: specific. Formal; in speech say «say exactly». Maths: if a problem specifies units, give the answer in those units.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «specify» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/specify/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«specify» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/specify.html) on Mova free.