spec

[ spek ]
/ spɛk /

noun

Usually specs. specification(def 2).
speculation.

adjective

built, done, bought, etc., as a speculation: the construction of spec houses.

verb (used with object), spec'd or specked or specced, spec'·ing or speck·ing or spec·cing.

to provide specifications for: Their newest truck was spec'd by a computer.

Idioms for spec

    on spec, made, built, or done with hopes of but no assurance of payment or a sale; without commitment by a client or buyer: ad illustrations done on spec; luxury homes built on spec and sold before completion.

Origin of spec

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; by shortening

OTHER WORDS FROM spec

spec·’er, speck·er, noun

Words nearby spec

spearman's rank-order coefficient, spearmint, spearpoint, spears, spearwort, spec, spec sheet, spec., speccy, special, special act

British Dictionary definitions for on spec

spec
/ (spɛk) informal /

noun

on spec as a speculation or gamble all the tickets were sold so I went to the theatre on spec

adjective

(prenominal) Australian and NZ speculative a spec developer

Word Origin for spec

C19: short for speculation or speculative

Idioms and Phrases with on spec (1 of 2)

on spec

Done on a speculative basis; with no assurance of profit. For example, We didn't design our house; the builder built it on spec. The use of spec as an abbreviation for speculation dates from the late 1700s.

Idioms and Phrases with on spec (2 of 2)

spec

see on spec.