Here's a breakdown:

* Specific heat is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1 degree Celsius (or 1 Kelvin).

* High specific heat means the substance can absorb a large amount of heat energy without experiencing a significant temperature change.

Here's what this means in practice:

* Water has a high specific heat. This is why oceans are slow to heat up and cool down, helping to regulate Earth's temperature. It also makes water a good coolant for engines.

* Metals typically have low specific heat. They heat up and cool down quickly, which is why they are used in cookware.

In summary, a high specific heat indicates a substance's ability to resist temperature changes, making it good at storing and slowly releasing heat energy.