Standard Lemma guide

overspecify

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American: /ˌoʊvɚˈspɛsɪˌfaɪ/

1

verb

Meaning 1

To specify in excessive detail.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The customer overspecified the requirements and now we're contractually required to build it this way. Does he think he's an engineer?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To specify excessive capability.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • As usual the customer overspecified the requirements, it's like asking for a car that seats 20 and fits in a compact car's parking space.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To provide redundant or inconsistent information.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • An overspecified truth table contains at least one decision that will never be executed because it is already specified in a previous decision...
  • A noun phrase is overspecified when it is used in a context where a pronoun would have been unambiguous.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *úp Proto-Indo-European *-er Proto-Indo-European *upér Proto-Germanic *uber Old English ofer- Middle English over- English over- English specify English overspecify From over- + specify.