spis-IF-iks
/spɪˈsɪfɪks/
specifics is pronounced spis-IF-iks (/spɪˈsɪfɪks/). Specifics refers to precise details or particular elements of something, as opposed to generalities. It denotes exact, often granular information that narrows focus to the essential points relevant to a task or discussion. In usage, it signals a demand for exactness and concrete facts rather than broad descriptions.
Specifics refers to precise details or particular elements of something, as opposed to generalities. It denotes exact, often granular information that narrows focus to the essential points relevant to a task or discussion. In usage, it signals a demand for exactness and concrete facts rather than broad descriptions.
- You may pronounce ‘specifics’ as two separate syllables with a weak link: s-PI-fiks; ensure the stress is on the second syllable and the /s/ and /f/ connect crisply. - Another mistake is over-pronouncing the first syllable, turning /spə/ into /spik/; keep the first syllable short and schwa-like. - Some speakers insert an extra vowel between /f/ and /ɪks/, resulting in /spəˈsɪfiːks/; practice with a quick, unvoiced /f/ to /ɪks/ transition. - Lip tension around /f/ can bleed into a longer /ɪ/; relax lips, avoid rounding, and snap into /ɪks/.
"The contract requires you to provide the specifics of the payment schedule."
"During the interview, she asked for the specifics of the project timeline."
"The trainer gave us the specifics of the drill before we started."
Pronunciation is spə-SIF-iks (IPA US: /spəˈsɪf.ɪks/, UK: /spəˈsɪf.ɪks/, AU: /spəˈsɪf.ɪks/). The primary stress is on the second syllable: SIF. Start with a weak schwa in the first syllable, then a crisp /sɪ/ or /sɪ/ vowel in the stressed syllable, followed by /f/ and a light /ɪks/. Mouth position: keep the lips relaxed for /spə/, raise the tongue toward a high front position for /ˈsɪf/, and finish with a quick /ɪks/. Audio reference: you’ll hear the stress peak on the second syllable in careful speech.”,
Two common errors: (1) misplacing the stress, saying /spəˈsiːf.ɪks/ with a long /iː/ in the second syllable; (2) slurring the /s/ and /f/ into /sf/ or mispronouncing the final /ɪks/. Correction: keep /ˈsɪf/ as a single syllable nucleus, with a clear /s/ to /f/ transition, and end with a crisp /-ɪks/. Practice by isolating /ˈsɪf/ and adding /-ɪks/ at the end, ensuring the /f/ fully releases before the /ɪks/.”,
US: /spəˈsɪf.ɪks/ with a reduced first syllable and a sharp /ˈsɪf/. UK: /spəˈsɪf.ɪks/ similar, but non-rhotic accents may soften r-influence elsewhere; AU: /spəˈsɪf.ɪks/ with bright vowel quality in /ɪ/ and often clearer enunciation of final /ɪks/. The rhoticity is less relevant here since there’s no /r/ in any variant; vowel quality in the stressed syllable and the quick release of /f/ before the final /ɪks/ are the main differentiators. Pay attention to whether your accent tends to reduce the first syllable more.”,
Difficulties center on two features: the near-stress on a short, sharp /ɪ/ in /sɪf/ combined with a rapid /ɪks/ tail, and the consonant cluster /sf/ that transitions quickly from /s/ to /f/. Some speakers also reduce the first syllable to a schwa, which can blur the syllable boundary. Tip: practice isolating /ˈsɪf/ as a single rhythmic unit, then attach /-ɪks/ with a light, fast release to maintain the crisp /f/ and avoid elongating the voweled nucleus.”,
What makes the /s/ to /f/ transition in ‘specifics’ particularly tricky, and how does you position your jaw to avoid an extra syllable? The transition from /s/ to /f/ demands a very light, almost glottal release of the /f/ and a concise /ɪ/ before it. Keep the jaw relaxed and slightly raised for /sɪ/ without adding a vowel after /s/; the final /ɪks/ should be a quick, clipped ending. This precise movement creates the clean, professional sound of ‘specifics’ in fluent speech.
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- US: Maintain a mid-central initial /ə/ (schwa) before the stressed /ˈsɪf/. The /ɪ/ in /ˈsɪf/ tends to be shorter; avoid over-lengthening. - UK: Similarized US, with slightly crisper /t/ or /d/ influences in surrounding words; ensure non-rhotic flow elsewhere, but /sɪf/ remains strong. - AU: Tends toward brighter /ɪ/ and clearer final /ɪks/; keep the final /ɪks/ tight, avoid trailing vowels. All: keep /s/ crisp, /f/ voiceless and unaspirated, finish with a quick /ɪks/. Use IPA as reference: /spəˈsɪf.ɪks/.” ,
The word specifics derives from the Latin word species, meaning ‘appearance, kind, form’ and the suffix -ics, forming a noun that denotes a field of study or a set of characteristics. In Late Latin, species began to appear in English with sense related to ‘kind’ or ‘form’; by the 16th century, specifics emerged to denote particular items or details within a broader category. The modern sense—precise particulars or exact data—evolved through usage in business, science, and law where exactness is essential. The plural form specifics used to occur with the same root, evolving as a mass noun/adjective hybrid in phrases like ‘the specifics of the agreement,’ later becoming a stand-alone plural noun signaling concrete details. First-known uses appear in early modern English legal and administrative texts, where enumerating specifics was necessary to avoid ambiguity in contracts and specifications. Over centuries, specificity became a valued communicative goal across disciplines, influencing phrases like “provide the specifics” or “lay out the specifics” in professional discourse. Today, specifics is common in technical writing and business contexts, signaling a demand for exactness and actionable data.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "specifics" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "specifics"
-ics sounds
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