Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

specifically

/spɪˈsɪf.ɪ.kli/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.65 in modern English

Syllables: specif-i-cal-ly
IPA: /spɪˈsɪf.ɪ.kli/

24

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

4

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

In a specific manner, applying to or naming a particular thing or things, expressly, explicitly.

adv

For a specific purpose or reason.

Example Sentences

"A provision of law may not be construed as requiring a new grant to be awarded to a specified non-Federal Government entity unless that provision of law (1) specifically refers to this subsection; specifically identifies the particular non-Federal Government entity involved; and (3) specifically states that the award to that entity is required by such provision of law in contravention of the policy set forth in subsection (a)."
"Unless specifically waived by the IRB, all subjects, or their legally authorized representatives, must document that they are consenting to participate in any research project that is approved by the University of North Dakota Institutional Review Board."
"Unless a rule or statute specifically states otherwise, a pleading need not be verified or accompanied by an affidavit."
"Many laws are directed specifically at child abuse."
"This was widely interpreted to mean that slavery was once more firmly illegal in England. However, the "positive law" mentioned–i.e., a direct law specifically enabling slavery–existed in many British colonies (although not all), since these colonies had a degree of freedom to write their own law apart from that of the home country."

Etymology

Etymology tree English specific Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- Proto-Indo-European *-is Proto-Indo-European *h₂élisder.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly Middle English -ally English -ally English specifically From specific + -ally.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /spɪˈsɪf.ɪ.kli/
British English: /spɪˈsɪf.ɪ.kli/

Inflected Forms

more specifically (comparative) most specifically (superlative) especifically (alternative)

Derived Forms

aspecifically biospecifically extraspecifically heterospecifically monospecifically nonspecifically polyspecifically subspecifically transspecifically unspecifically

Phrases

gender-specifically in other words

Frequently Paired Words

individually uniquely in other words

Synonyms

clearly directly downrightly explicitly expressis verbis expressly patently plainly specifically unambiguously unequivocally univocally

Antonyms

generally typically classically

Rhymes With

terrifically prolifically

Questions

How do you pronounce specifically?: The recorded pronunciation is /spɪˈsɪf.ɪ.kli/.
What does specifically mean?: In a specific manner, applying to or naming a particular thing or things, expressly, explicitly.
Where does specifically come from?: Etymology tree English specific Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- Proto-Indo-European *-is Proto-Indo-European *h₂élisder.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly Middle English -ally English -ally English specifically From specific + -ally.

How to pronounce specifically

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “specifically”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/spɪˈsɪf.ɪ.kli/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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