specs

Everyday

1. (informal) Specs is short for «spectacles», meaning glasses that people wear to see better. tree →
2. (informal) Specs is short for «specifications», a detailed description of how something is made or what it can do, like a computer or phone. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday talk, children say «Where are my specs?» or «Grandad's specs». In technology and adult life, people compare the specs of phones, cars or game consoles: memory, screen size, speed. Phrases: «reading specs», «put on your specs», «check the specs», «high specs».

Examples

• Grandad can't read without his specs. tree →
• I left my specs on the bus! tree →
• She got new pink specs from the optician. tree →
• The new tablet has amazing specs: a big screen and lots of memory. tree →
• Before buying, Dad checked the specs of the laptop. tree →
• My specs steamed up when I came in from the cold. tree →

Note

Always plural and informal: «my specs are», not «my spec is». For glasses, formal word is «spectacles». For technology, «specifications» or «tech specs». A «spec» alone can mean «speculation» («on spec» = without being asked or sure).