Spec Definition & Meaning

American

British

More Idioms

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms spec 1 American [spek] / spɛk /

noun

1. Usually specs specification.

2. speculation.

adjective

1. built, done, bought, etc., as a speculation.

   the construction of spec houses.

verb (used with object)

spec'd, specked, specced, spec'ing, specking, speccing

1. to provide specifications for.

   The custom turbocharger was spec'd by our mechanic.

2. (in a video game) to create or update (a character) by assigning attributes, skills, weapons, armor, and other items that affect the character’s powers, speed, strength, intelligence, etc..

   Do your research before you spec your character, because some builds are just not viable and this game does not allow you to re-spec.

idioms

1. on spec, made, built, or done with hopes of but no assurance of payment or a sale; without commitment by a client or buyer.

   ad illustrations done on spec;

   luxury homes built on spec and sold before completion.

spec. 2 American

abbreviation

1. special.

2. specially.

3. specifically.

4. specification.

spec. 1 British

abbreviation

1. specification

2. speculation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 spec 2 British / spɛk /

noun

1. as a speculation or gamble

   all the tickets were sold so I went to the theatre on spec

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

1. (prenominal) speculative

   a spec developer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 spec More Idioms

1. see on spec.

Other Word Forms

• specker noun
• spec’er noun

Etymology

Origin of spec

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; by shortening

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But this stabilization was due to “relative strength at the move-up and discretionary price points, which offset declining home sizes at the entry-level and spec price points,” the analysts say.

From The Wall Street Journal

The military still lacks the multiyear funding to fully meet its production targets, prompting some officials to ask defense contractors to add more capacity on spec ahead of actual orders.

From The Wall Street Journal

DaCosta: I wrote it on spec, so I wasn’t thinking about anything besides letting my freak flag fly, basically.

From Los Angeles Times

A few days later, Los Angeles touted its first completion only to face criticism because the house was a builder spec home permitted for demolition and rebuilding before the Palisades fire destroyed it.

From Los Angeles Times

A friend asked if I wanted to write a sitcom spec script.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• asset
• contribution
• expenditure
• expense
• finance
• financing
• grant
• loan
• money
• property
• purchase
• stake
• transaction
• venture

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.