spec

word

Definition

'Spec' can mean either a detailed technical description of something (short for 'specification') or 'on spec', which means doing something without a guarantee of success or payment.

Usage & Nuances

Mostly informal. 'Spec' is commonly used in IT, engineering, and similar fields for technical documents. 'On spec' is often used in creative or freelance work. Plural: 'specs'. Don't confuse with 'specs' (slang for eyeglasses).

Spanish: especificación (técnica) - en el aire (sin preparación)Portuguese (BR): especificação (técnica) - de improviso (informal)Portuguese (PT): especificação (técnica) - de improviso (informal)Chinese (Simplified): 规格（技术参数） - 随意地（未准备）Chinese (Traditional): 規格（技術參數） - 隨意地（未準備）Hindi: विशेष विवरण (तकनीकी) - बिना तैयारी के (अनौपचारिक)Arabic: مواصفة (تقنية) - من غير إعداد (عفوي)Bengali: স্পেক (প্রযুক্তিগত বর্ণনা) - চুক্তিহীনভাবে কাজ (অনিশ্চিত ভিত্তিতে)Russian: спека (техническое описание) - на авось (без гарантии оплаты)Japanese: 仕様書（しようしょ） - 見込みで（保証なしで）Vietnamese: bản thông số kỹ thuật - làm không công (không chắc được trả tiền)Korean: 스펙(규격서, 사양서) - 선작업(보장 없이 일하는 것)Turkish: teknik özellikler (kısa: 'spec') - garanti olmadan iş yapmak (deneme amaçlı)Urdu: تفصیل (تکنیکی وضاحت) - توقع پر کرنا (بغیر کسی یقینی ادائیگی کے)Indonesian: spesifikasi - bekerja tanpa jaminan (secara spekulatif)

Example Sentences

The designer took the job on spec, hoping to get paid if the client liked it.

natural

We built the computer to your spec.

basic

Can you send me the spec for this phone?

basic

This car does not meet the required spec.

basic

Check the spec sheet before you order any parts.

natural

We didn’t have a script, so we filmed the scene totally on spec.

natural