The specific synonym you want is usually particular, precise, exact, detailed or explicit. Particular picks out one item from a group, precise and exact stress accuracy, detailed means plenty of facts, and explicit means stated openly with nothing left to guess.
Teachers write "be more specific" on essays all the time, and bosses ask for specific numbers. This page shows which swap fits each case, which words only look similar, and what to use for the opposite.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
particular, precise, exact, detailed, explicitPart of speech
Adjective (adverb: specifically; plural noun: specifics)Most formal
explicit, unambiguous, peculiar toMost casual
exact, clear-cut, this oneNoun swaps
details, particulars, the ins and outsAntonyms
general, vague, broad, genericWatch out
Peculiar to means belonging only to. On its own, peculiar means strange.
Five specific synonym families
| Meaning | Swaps | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Not vague | precise, clear, explicit, concrete | Give concrete steps, not hopes. |
| One out of many | particular, certain, individual, given | On a given day we see 80 calls. |
| Rich in facts | detailed, itemized, thorough | Send an itemized bill. |
| Only found in one place | unique to, peculiar to, distinct | The plant is unique to this island. |
| Built for one job | tailored, targeted, dedicated | We offer tailored training. |
From simple to advanced wording
The chip row goes from plain to advanced vocabulary. Exact is short and works for kids and adults. Particular is everyday but slightly more careful. Detailed is about quantity of information. Precise adds accuracy, the sense that nothing is off. Explicit is the most advanced and means fully stated, as in explicit instructions or explicit consent.
Note that explicit can also describe adult content, so read the sentence back before you send it.
Another word for specific in real sentences
- Can you be more specific becomes can you be more precise.
- She wants a specific brand of tea becomes she wants a particular brand of tea.
- The rules are very specific becomes the rules are very explicit.
- Each team has specific goals becomes each team has clear, defined goals.
- A problem specific to older phones becomes a problem unique to older phones.
- We need specific figures becomes we need exact figures.
Essay feedback: "Your thesis is too general." A student revises "Social media affects teens" into "Late-night scrolling cuts teen sleep by about an hour." That is what being specific means: a precise claim with a concrete detail.
Which synonym for specific fits your task
Essays: precise, particular and concrete show careful thought. Job ads and resumes: targeted, tailored and dedicated sound active. Contracts and policies: explicit, express and well-defined leave no gaps. Talking with friends: exact or this one in particular sound natural.
Specifically and specifics
For the adverb, try particularly, precisely, explicitly or in particular. The page on specifically synonyms goes further. For the noun specifics, use details, particulars or, casually, the nitty-gritty: we agreed on the plan but not the details.
False friends
Special means better or unusual, not exact. Peculiar alone means odd. Accurate means correct, while specific means narrow; a guess can be specific and still wrong. Strict means firm rules, not detail. Keep these apart and your meaning stays clear.
Opposites: general, vague and broad
The direct antonym is general. Vague is critical, suggesting the writer avoided detail. Broad is neutral and suits scope. Generic means not made for anyone in particular. Ambiguous means open to more than one reading; see ambiguous synonyms.
- His answer was vague on cost.
- The course gives a broad overview.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell someone to be more specific politely?
Ask a direct question instead: could you share a date or an example? You can also say could you be a little more precise, which sounds softer than be specific.
Is particular the same as specific?
Very close. Particular points to one item out of a group, while specific can also mean clear and detailed. A particular day and a specific day are interchangeable.
Essay writers often ask for a formal stand-in for specific. Which works?
Precise, explicit and concrete all read well. Use explicit for rules or statements and concrete for examples and evidence.
Does exact mean specific?
Exact means no more and no less, so it fits numbers, times and words. For a whole plan, precise or detailed usually reads better.
Which antonym of specific should I use?
General is the direct opposite. Vague is more critical and broad is more neutral.
How do I describe a plant or custom found in one place only?
Unique to, peculiar to or native to work well. Local and regional are softer choices when the thing appears in a wider area.