Skip to content

spécifier

to specify

verb speh-see-FYEH Rare

Origin: Medieval Latin specificare, from species 'kind'

Also means

to stipulate

Usage Note

Spécifier means to state or define something precisely and explicitly. It is common in legal, technical, and administrative writing — spécifier les conditions ('to specify the conditions'). The corresponding noun is la spécification and the adjective is spécifique ('specific'). Unlike préciser (to clarify/add detail), spécifier implies formally naming or stipulating something.

Examples

"Veuillez spécifier votre demande par écrit."

Natural Translation

Please specify your request in writing.

Free starter pack

Building your French vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Explore French by topic