different between specify vs recommend

English

Etymology

From Old French specifier, especefier, or directly from Medieval Latin specific?, from specificus (“specific”).

Pronunciation

• (UK)IPA^(key): /?sp?s.?.fa?/
• (US)IPA^(key): /?sp?s.??fa?/
• Hyphenation: spe?ci?fy

Verb

specify (third-person singular simple present specifies, present participle specifying, simple past and past participle specified)

1. (transitive) To state explicitly, or in detail, or as a condition.
2. (transitive) To include in a specification.
3. (transitive) To bring about a specific result.
4. (intransitive, obsolete) To speak explicitly or in detail (often used with of).

Synonyms

• explicitize
• disambiguate

Derived terms

• above-specified

Related terms

• specifiable
• specific
• specification

Translations

English

Etymology

From Middle English recommenden, from Old French recommender (compare French recommander), from Latin re- + commend?re.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA^(key): /??k??m?nd/
• Rhymes: -?nd
• Hyphenation: rec?om?mend

Verb

recommend (third-person singular simple present recommends, present participle recommending, simple past and past participle recommended)

1. (transitive) To bestow commendation on; to represent favourably; to suggest, endorse or encourage as an appropriate choice.

   The board recommends Philips, given his ample experience in similar positions.

2. (transitive) To make acceptable; to attract favor to.

   A city that has much to recommend it.

3. (transitive) To advise, propose, counsel favorably

   The therapist recommends resting the mind and exercising the body.

4. (transitive, archaic) To commit, confide to another's care, confidence or acceptance, with favoring representations

   A medieval oblate's parents recommended the boy for life to God and the monastery

Usage notes

• This is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing). See Appendix:English catenative verbs

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:advise

Antonyms

• deprecate
• disrecommend
• discourage
• disapprove
• oppose

Derived terms

Related terms

• recommendation

Translations

Anagrams

• commender

Middle English

Verb

recommend

1. Alternative form of recommenden