specifies
States with precision
Specifies means to state or identify something explicitly and precisely.
When you specify requirements, you spell them out clearly: The contract specifies a delivery date of June 15.
To specify is to remove ambiguity—naming the exact thing rather than leaving it general: She specified which files to delete.
The word implies deliberate exactness.
Personal identifying words
- identifiesEstablishes what something is
- nominatesFormally proposes someone
- assignsDesignates for a purpose
- appointsOfficially selects for duty
selects · singles out · picks out · pinpoints · earmarks · reserves · allocates · mandates
External boundaries or summaries
- enumeratesCounts and names individually
- itemizesLists individually with specifics
- listsOrdered item collections
- catalogsComprehensive itemized lists
delineates · particularizes · spells out · lays out · sets out · describes · documents · records
Makes something understandable
- explainsMakes something understandable
- explicatesAnalyzes and interprets thoroughly
- interpretsExplains the meaning of
- expoundsExplains at length
demystifies · spells out · makes clear · sets forth · lays out · breaks down · elaborates · unpacks
Locates with exactness
- exactnessCorrectness in every detail
- particularitySpecific distinguishing feature
- definitenessQuality of being exact
- explicitnessQuality of being unambiguous
concreteness · accuracy · meticulousness · thoroughness · rigor · strictness · punctiliousness · granularity
Makes necessary
- mandatesAuthoritative commands or requirements
- dictatesGives authoritative commands
- prescribesFormally orders or recommends
- demandsForceful requests or requirements
insists · conditions · obligates · binds · constrains · compels · enforces · imposes
names
Personal identifying words
- identifiesEstablishes what something is
- nominatesFormally proposes someone
- assignsDesignates for a purpose
appoints · selects · singles out · picks out · pinpoints · earmarks · reserves · allocates · mandates · prescribes
outlines
External boundaries or summaries
- enumeratesCounts and names individually
- itemizesLists individually with specifics
- listsOrdered item collections
catalogs · delineates · particularizes · spells out · lays out · sets out · describes · documents · records · inventories
elucidates
Makes something understandable
- explainsMakes something understandable
- explicatesAnalyzes and interprets thoroughly
- interpretsExplains the meaning of
expounds · demystifies · spells out · makes clear · sets forth · lays out · breaks down · elaborates · unpacks · decodes
pinpoints
Locates with exactness
- exactnessCorrectness in every detail
- particularitySpecific distinguishing feature
- definitenessQuality of being exact
explicitness · concreteness · accuracy · meticulousness · thoroughness · rigor · strictness · punctiliousness · granularity · detail-oriented
requires
Makes necessary
- mandatesAuthoritative commands or requirements
- dictatesGives authoritative commands
- prescribesFormally orders or recommends
demands · insists · conditions · obligates · binds · constrains · compels · enforces · imposes · necessitates
- highlightshighlight, highlights, high point, spotlight, peak
- localizespinpoints, identifies, situates, positions, places
specifiesgeneralizes
Forms broad principles
obscures · hedges · equivocates · obfuscates · muddles
- to be specificTo state precisely
- specific heatEnergy needed per degree
- not specified
- more specifically
- specific gravityDensity ratio versus reference
- specific activityOne clearly identified action
specific, specified, specifically, specification, unspecified, nonspecific, specificity