WordValespecification
a detailed, exact statement
In more detail
1. (noun) a detailed description of what something should be like, including size, materials, quality, or how it should work
2. (noun) a requirement or standard that something must meet
Examples
- 1. The architect provided detailed specifications for the new building, including the exact dimensions and materials.
- 2. The job specifications require at least five years of experience in software development.
How to use specification
Specification is used in technical, commercial, and formal contexts to refer to precise requirements or detailed descriptions that something must conform to. It is often used in the plural (specifications) when listing multiple requirements. The word is more formal and technical than the simpler synonym 'requirement,' and emphasizes precision and measurable standards.
Common phrases
- meet specifications
- technical specifications
- detailed specifications
- specifications call for
- according to specifications
Synonyms
requirement · standard · criterion · description · detail
Word family
specify (verb) · specific (adjective) · specifically (adverb) · specificity (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 'specification' with 'specification of' when they mean to specify something; use the verb 'specify' instead (e.g., 'specify the requirements' rather than 'specification the requirements').
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