Specifically means in a precise, exact, or detailed way. When you say something specifically, you're being clear about exactly what you mean, leaving no room for confusion.

If your teacher asks the class to read Chapter 3, that's a general instruction. But if she says “Read pages 47 through 53 specifically,” she's telling you the exact pages she wants you to focus on. When a recipe calls specifically for unsalted butter, it means regular salted butter won't work the same way.

The word often appears when someone wants to narrow down from something general to something particular. Your mom might say “Clean your room” (general) or “I specifically asked you to put away your clean laundry” (pointing to one exact task). A scientist studying birds might say she's researching eagles specifically, not just birds in general.

You can also use specifically to emphasize that you chose something for a particular reason: “I picked this book specifically because you love adventure stories.” It signals intentional, careful selection rather than random choice.

When someone asks “Could you be more specific?” they're asking you to add details and clarity. Being specific helps people understand exactly what you mean, which makes communication much clearer and prevents misunderstandings.