non-specific

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Not clearly belonging to one particular type, cause, or disease; general rather than exact.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: non-specific symptoms. It is not usually used after a linking verb.

   Patterns

   • non-specific symptoms
   • non-specific pain
   • non-specific findings

   The doctor said the pain was non-specific and likely to go away on its own.

   The report gave only non-specific details about the problem.

   She had a non-specific feeling that something was wrong.

2. 2adjectivenot comparablebiologytechnical

   In biology, relating to an immune response that is not directed at one particular germ.

   Grammar: Technical use; usually before a noun: non-specific immunity.

   Patterns

   • non-specific immunity
   • non-specific defense

   Non-specific immunity helps the body fight many different germs.

   The skin provides a non-specific barrier against infection.

Common combinations

non-specific symptoms

Fatigue and non-specific symptoms can have many causes.

non-specific pain

He complained of non-specific pain in his back.

non-specific finding

The scan showed a non-specific finding that needed more tests.

non-specific immunity

Non-specific immunity is the body's first line of defense.

Synonyms and how they differ

general

General means not detailed or not limited to one thing; non-specific often suggests a medical or technical lack of a clear cause.

vague

Vague means not clear or not precise, often because of poor communication; non-specific is more neutral and technical.

Opposites

Word family

specific adjective

Clearly defined or relating to one particular thing.

specifically adverb

In a way that is clear and exact.

Commonly confused: non-specific or unspecific?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “non-specific”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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